This is the dramatic moment Green Party MP Hannah Spencer was escorted by police through the heart of Manchester city centre after a violent brawl erupted at an event opposing the far right, where anti-transgender protesters were present. The newly elected MP for Gorton and Denton had just delivered a speech at the launch of Greater Manchester's Together Alliance, a coalition formed 'against the far right', when the confrontation unfolded.
Chaos in Piccadilly Gardens
Campaigners had gathered in Piccadilly Gardens on Sunday for the launch of the local branch of the nationwide group, which is organising a 'March to Stop the Far Right' in London scheduled for March 28. A video shared on social media platform X captured two men carrying signs that read 'There's no such thing as a transgender child' following Ms Spencer as she walked through the square after her address, with her supporters closely trailing behind.
One of the men proceeded to confront Ms Spencer with provocative questions about transgender issues, including demanding, 'Can a woman have a penis, Hannah?' before being loudly heckled by onlookers. The situation quickly deteriorated as two other men became embroiled in a heated argument that escalated into physical punches, prompting Greater Manchester Police to intervene. Subsequently, one of the men engaged in a separate confrontation with a woman, leading to several others stepping in to defuse the tension.
Police Intervention and Escort
At one point during the melee, a woman appeared to attempt to seize a placard from a man holding one of the anti-transgender signs. Police officers then escorted Ms Spencer to a waiting vehicle outside Burger King at the top of Market Street. The individual filming the incident observed that the MP seemed 'scared' and inquired if she 'was okay' amidst the chaos.
A spokesperson for the Green Party attributed the incident to 'a few angry men' who had sought to 'spread anti-trans bigotry'. The spokesperson elaborated, 'Hannah was talking today in Manchester about community cohesion and unity. A few angry men, attempting to spread anti-trans bigotry, chose this moment to try to silence and harass Hannah.'
They added, 'There is a bitter irony that today, on International Women's Day, these few men claiming to 'protect women' behaved like this towards parliament's newest female MP, chasing her to a police car. Worse still, some of the abuse faced by Hannah included the same misinformation and outright lies shared by her political opponents online. Hannah won't be silenced and will continue to speak up for the communities that she has been elected to represent.'
Background of the New MP
Ms Spencer secured her position as the Green Party's fifth MP after triumphing in the Gorton and Denton by-election on Thursday, February 26, 2026. In her victory speech, the former plumber apologised to customers she had booked and cautioned that the British people are being 'bled dry' and are 'sick of our hard work making other people rich'.
Controversies and Accusations
However, her campaign was marred by allegations of 'hypocrisy'. Ms Spencer co-owns homes valued at over £1 million, has advised others on property deals, and has taken multiple foreign holidays despite her party's criticism of air travel. Her social media profiles reveal trips to New York and San Francisco in 2014, Hungary the same year, and visits to Valencia, Barcelona, and Amsterdam in previous years.
Instagram posts also depicted her beside a petrol car adorned with campaign slogans and mocking Brexit, raising questions about her environmental commitments. Gorton and Denton rank among Manchester's most deprived areas, with incomes approximately 25 per cent below the national average. Nonetheless, Land Registry records indicate that Ms Spencer co-owns two properties in the city's wealthiest postcodes with her former partner, biochemist Dr Stephen Holman.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski advocates for abolishing private landlords, taxing the wealthy, and implementing rent controls. Yet, on parenting forum Mumsnet, Ms Spencer previously shared strategies for maximising profit from property transactions. She admitted to pressuring buyers to meet asking prices, discriminating against those requiring larger loans, and praising second homes as investments, which contradicts Green Party policy.
