Mobile phone footage has emerged of Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, being manhandled by two men in the street.
The video, which appeared on Twitter has been condemned by vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, who tweeted: “This is disgusting and these thugs must be found and charged.
“Zero tolerance for harassing a public servant.”
The footage shows Professor Whitty struggling to free himself from the men’s grasp as they cling on to him, laughing and posing for the video.
Prof Whitty manages to walk a few steps away but the men hold onto him again as he crosses a road.
Eventually, a voice – apparently of a passer by – can be heard telling the men to “leave this gentleman alone”.
It is not clear when or where the incident took place.
Sky News has asked Downing Street for a response to the video.
Professor Whitty is pictured outside the Department of Health building on Monday
The chief medical officer is pictured (left) with Boris Johnson and Sir Patrick Vallance
It is the second time Prof Whitty has been harassed on camera. In early February he was queuing at a food stall in London when a youth approached him and said: “Liar. You’re a liar. Mandem, he’s a liar… You’re a liar. You life about the COVID-19 cases. Stop lying to the TV, man.”
The scientist did not react and later told a Downing Street briefing: “The odd young lad, showing off, occasionally happens.”
He added: “I’m sure he’ll become a model citizen in due course and hopefully more like Captain Tom, who is the kind of person who I think much more exemplifies the spirit of the UK.”