A female Cumbrian MP has revealed she had to leave Parliament through a different entrance to avoid a group of protesters who abused a fellow politician.

Sue Hayman, who represents Workington, said there is growing concern among female MPs, who often leave Westminster on their own and in the dark.

It follows abuse directed at Conservative MP Anna Soubry over her views on Brexit.

She was verbally abused, including being called a liar and a Nazi, during live TV interviews on Monday.

Ms Soubry then jostled by protesters as she tried to reenter the Palace of Westminster, amid shouts of “scum”.

The group, believed to have far right links, has been gathering regularly in the Westminster area amid Brexit discussions.

Although there are many peaceful protests outside parliament, it is believed that these particular individuals have been trying to intimidate MPs.

Mrs Hayman, a Labour MP, said that female MPs - on all sides of the political spectrum - are feeling quite vulnerable and have been working to support each other.

She said: “The main thing to say is that it’s absolutely disgraceful, the way Anna Soubry was treated, and she’s not the only one.

“A number of people have been getting abuse from this particular group of people, who have become very aggressive.

“When I left yesterday they were still outside shouting. I went out of a different entrance and walked a different way to get my bus because I didn’t want to get accosted by them.”

Mrs Hayman said that although they feel safe in Westminster, it is not always the case when they are coming in and going out.

“We are very safe and secure on the Parliament estate. There is a lot of police presence.

“The concern is what happens when we leave the estate.

“At this time of year we usually leave this place on our own and in the dark,” she said.

“There have been discussions among female MPs. It appears one particular person in the group has been particularly towards women MPs. We have been talking about how we can support each other.”

Ms Soubry - who has publicly called for a second Brexit referendum - has been critical of the police for not intervening as she was subjected to abuse.

She said that although she anticipated some criticism and abuse as an MP, authorities should act when this “crossed the line”.

Mrs Hayman said that many other MPs feel the same.

“I think we all felt concerned that the police didn’t intervene.

“It’s not acceptable for anyone to stand outside a person’s place of work and abuse them as they leave. That’s not just at Parliament. That’s anywhere.

“I think it’s very concerning and very sad that anyone going to work would have to put up with that kind of abuse,” she added.

Mrs Hayman said although Brexit was an emotive issue, it didn’t justify the aggressive actions of the protesters.

“We’re doing a job that inevitably means people get emotionally involved,” she explained.

“There are strong views right across all different sides.

“We need to be able to go about our job in a way that enables us to represent our constituents.

“One group of people shouldn’t be able to intimidate Members of Parliament over the way they decide to balance the views of their constituents.”

It is not just MPs who have been targeted by protesters.

Sky News presenter Kay Burley said she has been forced to change her own route to Parliament, and now has security protection.

Political commentator Owen Jones also published a video on Twitter he recorded while being followed and shouted at by a group of protesters.