A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault after throwing a milkshake at Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage in Newcastle.

Mr Farage had just given a speech at the city's Monument as part of his party's campaign tour, ahead of Thursday's European Parliament elections, when he was attacked by a protester.

The attacker was identified as Paul Crowther, 32, from Newcastle, who said the banana and salted caramel milkshake he used was from burger chain Five Guys, and cost £5.25.

Moment Nigel Farage hit with milkshake

Following the incident, he said: "I didn't know he was in town, I thought this is my only chance.

"It's a right of protest against people like him."


"The bile and the racism he spouts out in this country is far more damaging than a bit of milkshake to his front," added Crowther, who is a customer service adviser for Sky, the owner of Sky News, according to his Facebook page.

After his arrest, he said he did not regret his actions, adding: "I was quite looking forward to it [the milkshake], but I think it went on a better purpose."

Mr Farage tweeted after the incident, saying: "Sadly some remainers have become radicalised, to the extent that normal campaigning is becoming impossible.

"For a civilised democracy to work you need the losers consent, politicians not accepting the referendum result have led us to this."

Following the attack, he could be heard asking security staff: "How did you not stop that?"

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault and remains in police custody."

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Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Sky said: "We are investigating the incident but cannot comment further at this stage."

The attack comes after a McDonald's branch in Edinburgh was asked by police not to sell milkshakes, due to a Brexit Party rally close by.

Image: Politicians have been targeted by milkshake attackers

At the same time, Burger King tweeted to remind their Scottish customers that they will continue to sell the dairy beverages, drawing criticism from some people.

Mr Farage becomes the latest politician to have the drink doused on him, joining figures such as UKIP's Carl Benjamin and independent European candidate Tommy Robinson.

The incident has reignited the debate over when a protest crosses the line.

Sky News spoke Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, who said that while he recognised the incident as a "bit of a joke", that the current climate of "political intimidation" means such an act should be taken more seriously.

"I do think we have to make sure we stop this here and that we say that yes, of course protesting is absolutely legitimate, but throwing things at politicians or hurling abuse at them frankly isn't," he said.