AN estate agent has been sacked after his boss saw a video of him grabbing Prof Chris Whitty around the neck.

       Lewis Hughes and pal Jonathan Chew, both 24, were branded “despicable thugs” by the Prime Minister for manhandling England’s chief medical officer.

       7

       A yob has been sacked after his boss saw a viral video of him attacking Prof Chris Whitty 7

       Estate agent Lewis Hughes said he has 'paid the price with my job'

       But tonight, boxing enthusiast Hughes apologised through The Sun and said: “I’ve paid the price with my job.”

       He told how the friends had been on an anti-vax march in London on Sunday when they spotted Prof Whitty, 55, at about 3pm in St James’s Park.

       Do you have any more information? Call The Sun Online on 0207 782 4368 or email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk

       They filmed the encounter — with the 18-second clip sparking outrage when it went online and was viewed around the world.

       Hughes, who worked for Caplen Estates Agents, admitted having a couple of drinks first.

       He said: “I absolutely apologise for any upset I caused.

       “If I made him feel uncomfortable, which it does look like I did, then I am sorry to him for that.

       “He is quite a timid, shy person and I think that is why he didn’t say, ‘Get off me’. If he had said that and I had realised how he felt, I wouldn’t have put my arm round him.

       7

       Hughes has apologised and said he had 'no malicious intent' during the incident 7

       He said he had been on an anti-vax march when he spotted Prof Whitty in a park 7

       Jonathan Chew was also seen manhandling England's chief medical officer over the weekend 7

       The football fan said he suffered from ADHD and autism and meant no harm

       “To be honest I just wanted a selfie with Chris Whitty to show my mum. There was no malicious intent, I didn’t want to upset him.

       "I put my arm around him but he started moving away so my arm ended up going around his neck more.”

       He went on: “I feel very let down by Boris, for him to call me a thug. I actually voted for him as well.

       “I have worked every day of my life since I left college, I have never been in any trouble. Now I have to start from the beginning again and I loved my job.”

       I feel very let down by Boris, for him to call me a thug. I actually voted for him as well.

       Lewis Hughes

       Lewis, from Romford, Essex, said the police have told him they would not be taking further action.

       Meanwhile, his friend Chew said he suffered from ADHD and autism, adding: “Sometimes things seem a good idea and really they’re not.

       “I don’t think we did anything wrong. We just saw him, and thought, ‘That’s the guy from the TV. He’s famous’.

       7

       The incident has raised fears for Prof Whitty's safety Credit: Getty

       Most read in News

       'THUG'Chris Whitty harassment video yob loses job as estate agent after viral footage

       ALL OVERGina Coladangelo's husband's AGONY as she dumps him for love rat

       'HER LEGACY'Harry & Wills say 'we wish she were still with us' at emotional reunion for Di

       'EXTRA PRECAUTIONS'Boris Johnson to reveal Freedom Day plans in DAYS

       SOLDIER DOWNBrit man broke his penis VERTICALLY when it 'buckled' during sex

       BITCOIN RIDDLEBitcoin billionaire ‘drowns in sea' & his fortune could be 'lost forever'

       “We didn’t cause any harm to him. We just wanted a selfie.”

       Police, who took the pair’s details, said they were still investigating the incident — recorded as a common assault.

       Prof Whitty said he did not want to make a formal complaint.

       Anti-lockdown mob shout murderer outside Chris Whitty's home