Nigel Farage has had a milkshake thrown at him during a walkabout in Newcastle city centre.
The Brexit Party leader was led away by security as a person was dragged from the scene by a Police Community Support Officer.
Shortly after the incident, a Twitter account named @themadbrewery tweeted: “I fucking did it, it was Farage, I can’t believe it.”
A few minutes before, he had tweeted: “I’d got my milkshake and coincidentally there’s a Brexit Party march….”
Paul Crowther, 32, from Throckley, Newcastle, said it was a £5.25 Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake.
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.”
Standing in handcuffs outside the nearby Waterstones bookshop, Crowther said he did not regret his actions.
He denied an allegation someone was cut, saying he only threw liquid on the politician. Of the loss of his drink, Crowther ruefully said: “I was quite looking forward to it, but I think it went on a better purpose.”
The Brexit Party leader looked deeply unimpressed following the incident. Shortly afterwards, he could be heard exclaiming “how did you not stop that?” and “it’s a failure” as his staff ushered him away from the scene and into a taxi.
A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault, Northumbria Police said.
Farage later said he would press charges against the arrested man.
While many took to social media to mock Farage, others condemned the attack. Former Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron tweeted: “I’m not laughing along... Violence and intimidation are wrong no matter who they’re aimed at. On top of that, it just makes the man a martyr, it’s playing into his hands.
Braintree MP James Cleverly tweeted: “How about debating rather than assaulting political opponents?”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister supports efforts to stamp out unacceptable and unlawful behaviour and where incidents of harassment and abuse constitutes a criminal offence it should be taken seriously by the police.
“The Prime Minister has been clear that politicians should be able to go about their work and campaign without harassment, intimidation or abuse. In this case, an arrest has already been made so I can’t comment further.
As for himself, Farage had this to say:
The attack comes after police ordered a McDonald’s outlet near Farage’s campaign rally in Edinburgh not to sell ice cream or milkshakes during the weekend.
The order was made following a spate of dairy-based incidents involving right-wing politicians.
Printed signs saying: “We will not be selling milkshakes or ice creams tonight. This is due to a police request given recent events” were displayed on the windows and inside the fast food restaurant.
Far-right figure Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, and Ukip candidate Carl Benjamin have had food and drinks thrown at them during the European election campaign.
Former English Defence League leader Yaxley-Lennon was drenched by milkshakes twice in two days as he campaigned in the north-west of England.
Benjamin – who is currently being investigated by police about what he said were jokey rape comments made towards MP Jess Phillips – was at a public meeting in Cornwall when a protester tried to throw a drink over him.
After the police’s intervention in Edinburgh, Burger King’s UK Twitter account posted: “Dear people of Scotland. We’re selling milkshakes all weekend. Have fun. Love BK #justsaying”