A GREENPEACE protester physically removed from a dinner by a now-suspended Tory minister was a former University of Chester student, the Standard has learned.

Video footage widely distributed on Thursday night showed activist Janet Barker being manhandled by the Foreign Office minister Mark Field at the Mansion House, London event, before being escorted out of the room while he clasped her neck.

Prime Minister Theresa May has since suspended the minister after viewing footage of the incident, which she found "very concerning".

City of London Police said they were looking into a "small number" of third-party reports of an assault at the Mansion House event.

Greenpeace protesters disrupted the black-tie event, where Chancellor Philip Hammond was speaking, to demand action to tackle the climate emergency.

Mr Field was seen manhandling the female protester at the event in scenes described as "horrific" by Labour.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister has seen the footage and she found it very concerning.

"The police have said they are looking into reports over this matter and Mark Field has also referred himself to both the Cabinet Office and the Conservative Party.

"He will be suspended as a minister while investigations take place."

Greenpeace said the activist removed by Mr Field, who they have not identified but is now known to be Janet Barker, "had a good sleep and is doing fine".

"We're looking after her. Thanks so much for your love and concern everyone. We're sharing positive messages with her".

Ms Barker studied environmental science at the University of Chester between 1997 and 2000, and now lives in Llangammarch Wells, Powys, according to her LinkedIn page.

She is employed as a support worker and has a business of ethically produced Angora wool made from rabbits.

She told the BBC: "350 people were there and only one person reacted that way.

"It’s more the behaviour of that individual. I want him to reflect on what he did and not do it again.

"Maybe he should go to anger management classes."

Mr Field has referred himself to the Cabinet Office for investigation and has apologised "unreservedly" to the activist.

In a statement to ITV, Cities of London and Westminster MP Mr Field said: "In the confusion many guests understandably felt threatened and when one protester rushed past me towards the top table I instinctively reacted.

"There was no security present and I was for a split-second genuinely worried she might have been armed.

"As a result I grasped the intruder firmly in order to remove her from the room as swiftly as possible."

He added that he "deeply" regretted the incident and would co-operate fully with a Cabinet Office investigation.

Mr Field was a minister in Jeremy Hunt's team at the Foreign Office and also supported him for the Tory leadership.

Mr Hunt told the BBC: "Mark has issued a full and unreserved apology. He recognises that what happened was an over-reaction."

A City of London Police spokesman said: "We have received a small number of third party reports of an assault taking place at the event. These reports are being looked into by police."

In his ministerial role, Mr Field has spoken up for the rights of protesters and condemned violence against women.