Brexiteers’ outcry as humans rights chief warns Theresa May that triggering Article 50 will boost hate crime

OUTRAGE erupted today after human rights chiefs warned Theresa May would trigger a surge in hate crime when triggering EU divorce talks.

MPs let rip as David Isaac, the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, called for greater police protection for EU citizens and said he was "hugely concerned" there would be a spate of fresh attacks on Poles living in the UK.

But furious MPs hit back at his claims, who said it was nothing more than "unsubstantiated over-reaction".

Today Mr Issac told the Commons Women and Equalities Committee that he was worried about a spike in hate crime after Article 50 is triggered.

The period immediately after the referendum vote saw incidents soar. Crimes included attacks in the streets and leaflets being sent to Polish families branding them “vermin”.

The Prime Minister has said she will trigger Article 50 by the end of March, but next week's Supreme Court decision on whether she needs a vote in Parliament could upset her plans.

New chairman Mr Issac said he was meeting with community groups to ensure as much police protection as possible was available, and he was particularly concerned about attacks on Poles.

"We are hugely concerned about what might happen in relation to an increase in hate crime when Article 50 is triggered," he told MPs.

"I believe, we are uniquely placed to be doing all of this at a time when Britain needs guidance in relation to huge anxiety that resides, not just in relation to non-UK citizens and our visitors, but actually many of our own citizens."

But Brexiteers said his comments were creating problems that didn't exist.

Tory MP Nigel Evans said it would be "incredibly irresponsible" to suggest that an increase would take place. "There is absolutely zero reason for that whatsoever," he told MailOnline.

And Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "Doom-laden prophecies are the standard response of a small number of deluded remainers."

He added: "So far they have all been wrong."

Suella Fernandes also said: "Whilst any form of hate crime is totally unacceptable, it is a stretch to say it will increase because of the triggering of Article 50.

"This kind of unsubstantiated overreaction is unhelpful and only serves to instil unnecessary fear and division."

The Prime Minister's Spokesperson said today that she had taken a "strong and clear stance" on hate crime post-Brexit, and she would "certainly not want" to see another spike,

"We have consistently and repeatedly said that hate crime is completely unacceptable... the outcome of the referendum was not a vote to become inward looking and stop being an open and tolerant nation."

An EHRC spokesman said: “After the rise in hate crime during the referendum, David has simply made the point we must be vigilant as negotiations on Brexit continue after the triggering of Article 50.

“We have consistently said we believe those that voted Brexit did so in the best interests of the country and not intolerance of others.”