Jacob Rees-Mogg urges for new measures to protect MPs from abuse

Jacob Rees-Mogg has insisted MPs must think about what more can be done to combat abuse aimed at them.

Jacob Rees-Mogg with his son Peter Theodore Alphege as they are escorted by police

The Commons Leader and his 12-year-old son received a police escort after People's Vote demonstrators heckled as they left Parliament following the Saturday sitting to debate the Government's new Brexit agreement with the EU.

Cabinet colleagues of Mr Rees-Mogg were also targeted, while shadow home secretary Diane Abbott was filmed being abused by pro-Brexit demonstrators.

Are sessional orders the answer?

Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg

Mr Rees-Mogg questioned whether sessional orders could be helpful.

It adds calls to restore them have since emerged as it is argued they serve as a reminder to MPs that they must have free access to Parliament when in session.

'Kind inquiries' about Rees-Mogg's son

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Rees-Mogg said: "I've had many really kind inquiries about my son.

"He is a 12-year-old boy. He found nothing more exciting than being escorted home by the police. I'm not sure he should have found it so exciting, but he did.

"As a really serious point, I think it's very important that MPs can come and go from the precincts of Parliament feeling safe, and we must think about whether there's more we need to do and whether sessional orders may be helpful in that regard."

Commons Speaker John Bercow said: "I endorse what the Leader of the House said in all solemnity, about the absolute and precious right of members of this place and of staff to go about their business safely and unimpeded.

"That has to be an absolute and non-negotiable.

"And where that right has been threatened, that threat is to be unequivocally condemned.

"And sometimes I fear that people think that one form of hollering or protest is acceptable and another is not.

"The truth is that no such behaviour, which could be intimidating or threatening, or worse, can possibly be justified in our democracy."