Board laments ‘troubling descent of discourse’ as Farage doused in milkshake
Brexit Party leader gave a speech in Newcastle when a protester doused him with milkshake, leading to criticism against 'physical attacks' against politicians
Britain’s main Jewish representative body has lamented the “descent of political discourse” after Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage was hit by a milkshake in Newcastle.
The former UKIP leader gave a speech ahead of polling day when a protester doused him with what is believed to be a banana and salted caramel milkshake.
A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of common assault and remains in custody, a Northumbria Police spokesperson revealed today.
The Board of Deputies wrote in a post on Twitter on Monday: “There is never an excuse in politics for physical attacks on people with whom we may disagree.
“From milkshakes on Nigel Farage to eggs at Jeremy Corbyn, it is deeply troubling to see the descent of our political discourse into acts of violence.”
Farage later tweeted: “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.”
This comes after far-right activist Tommy Robinson and the UKIP MEP candidate Carl Benjamin were also pelted with drinks on the campaign trail.
In March, Brexit-supporter John Murphy, 31, was jailed for 28 days after he admitted to attacking Jeremy Corbyn with an egg during the Labour leader’s visit to a mosque.
Only last week, a McDonald’s branch in Edinburgh was ordered to stop selling milkshakes while Farage was holding a rally nearby.
Burger King’s Twitter account in the UK posted: “Dear people of Scotland. We’re selling milkshakes all weekend. Have fun. Love BK #justsaying”
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