Jacob Rees-Mogg spoke on GB News today to address an encounter with masked demonstrators who gathered outside his Somerset residence over the weekend.
Video footage captured two individuals standing at the gates of his property while recording him during protests connected to the Mendip Hunt.
Despite the former Cabinet minister extending an offer of refreshments and posing questions to the pair, they chose not to respond.
Speaking about the incident, Jacob stated: "I'm all in favour of protest and protesters have every right to protest events they don't approve of, but wearing masks appears to me to be sinister."
Jacob recalled his experience on GB News
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He questioned whether people should be entitled to identify those confronting them.
Former Labour MP Stephen Pound backed Jacob's assessment during the programme, revealing he had previously participated in hunt saboteur activities himself.
"When I went out with the hunt saboteurs, which I was proud to do, I would never hide my face," Mr Pound remarked.
He described the footage of Jacob engaging with the demonstrators as an example of "killing them with kindness."
Mr Pound went further in his criticism, suggesting that concealing one's face in public spaces may breach public order legislation.
"The word you used was right, they are cowards, they are gutless cowards," he declared. "If they are ashamed to show their faces, they are ashamed of their views as well."
Former Labour MP Stephen Pound joined Jacob in condemning the protesters
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The video footage reveals Jacob walking towards the two masked figures at his property, demanding to know what they were "frightened of" and whether their face coverings held religious significance.
"I think it's very cowardly that you wear masks," he told them. "You should be open and forthright about what you are doing rather than hide yourselves away. There are children here."
The Conservative politician, who has previously described hunting as a "proper English pursuit," concluded the exchange by inviting the silent protesters inside for coffee.
Mendip Hunt Sabs issued a response to the footage, accusing Jacob of selectively editing his interaction with their members.
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Jacob called the protesters 'cowardly'
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"In a video published by Rees-Mogg yesterday, he accused sabs of being both cowards and sinister for wearing face coverings," the group stated.
They claimed the published video omitted the explanation their activists provided for concealing their identities.
"In his video, he included an edited interaction with our sabs, excluding the reason they gave for why we wear masks. So here it is, Jacob. For all to see," they added.
The saboteur group also requested donations to support their efforts to "protect wildlife from the Rees-Moggs and their murderous mates".
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