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Ed Miliband was punched and shoved by protesters yesterday in a "disgusting" attack.

Thugs ambushed the Labour leader as he attempted to get in his waiting car after an election campaign event.

Witnesses said around six protesters - some wearing masks bearing the face of ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond - surrounded Mr Miliband, with at least one of them punching him in the chest.

Labour activist Rachel Penn, 42, said: "He was pretty shaken up. It was quite dramatic.

"His path was blocked by two people who were being very aggressive. He was shoved out of the way and couldn't get in the car.

"One guy punched Ed in the chest and shut the car door so he couldn't get in."

Labour supporter Neil McEwan said: "The group came out of nowhere. Ed only had four of five steps to get to the car but they set upon him immediately.

"He was definitely pushed but he shrugged it off and made his way to the far side of the car.

"Ed had to push his way through them to get into the car. It was over very quickly but it was shocking."

Witnesses said they did not see Mr Miliband's minders at the time of the attack in Rotherhithe, South East London, at around noon.

Sebastian Payne, managing editor (digital) of The Spectator magazine, tweeted a picture of Tory activists wearing Mr Salmond masks.

However, the Tories "categorically" denied that anybody working for them or known to them went anywhere near Mr Miliband.

A senior source told the Telegraph: "To suggest anything else is a lie."

The fracas will pose questions about his security arrangements as he bids to oust David Cameron as Prime Minister.

A Labour spokesman last night declined to comment on the skirmish.

The incident did not hamper Mr Miliband's performance in the first major TV set piece of the election campaign later.

The Labour leader came out all guns blazing in his interview with Jeremy Paxman in the Battle For Number 10, broadcast on Channel 4 and Sky.

He tackled difficult questions about his leadership race with brother David and whether his personality was a turn-off for voters.

The Prime Minister, by contrast, was left stuttering as Paxman hit him with early questions about food banks and zero hours contracts.

Mr Miliband launches the Labour Party's election campaign at London's Olympic Park today.