THE man who soaked Nigel Farage with a milkshake during a campaign walkabout tweeted a picture of his missile moments before he struck.
The Brexit Party leader was targeted while campaigning in Newcastle ahead of Thursday’s European Parliament election.
Farage was led away by security as the thrower was confronted by a Police Community Support Officer and was later seen in handcuffs.
A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault after the incident. Farage has since made a statement to Northumbria Police and told them that he will press charges for assault, according to the Telegraph.
READ MORE: Nigel Farage hit with milkshake during Brexit Party campaigning
Paul Crowther, 32, from Throckley, Newcastle, said it was a £5.25 Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake.
Chaotic scenes in Newcastle city centre as Nigel Farage hit by a milkshake. He’s been whisked away by his security. This is the aftermath. pic.twitter.com/qxz8yay492
— Sean Seddon (@seddonnews) May 20, 2019
Moments before Farage was showered with the product, Crowther, under username The Mad Brewer, tweeted: “I’d got my milkshake and coincidentally there’s a Brexit Party march ...”
After throwing the milkshake, he added on Twitter: “I f***ing did it, it was Farage, I can’t believe I did it.”
I’d got my milkshake and coincidentally there’s a Brexit Party march.... pic.twitter.com/pA2dQgwGGE
— The Mad Brewer (@themadbrewery) May 20, 2019
In what seems to have been an unplanned act, Crowther said he saw there was a Brexit Party event in the city centre, thought it was an MEP and then saw Farage.
He explained: "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."
Despite being arrested, he said he did not regret his actions and denied an allegation someone was cut, saying he only threw sticky liquid on the politician.
Of his milkshake, he ruefully said: "I was quite looking forward to it but I think it went on a better purpose."
Farage’s soaking comes after Ukip's Carl Benjamin and ex-English Defence League leader Stephen Lennon-Yaxley, aka Tommy Robinson, were hit in similar incidents.
Authorities had been wary that the Brexit Party leader would be the next politician to be targeted.
During a visit to Edinburgh on Friday, a nearby McDonald's outlet was reportedly asked by police to halt the sale of milkshakes and ice cream.
READ MORE: Edinburgh McDonald's stops selling milkshakes during Farage visit
As the highest-profile “milkshaking”, the soaking of Farage has sparked a Twitter storm.
Andrew Wilson gave his version of events.
I saw footage. It's clear that he was making his way towards Mr Farage to ask a question about his childcare policy. He then slips as he leans into listen to the detailed account of parental concerns and inadvertently loses control of the milkshake. Could happen to anyone. https://t.co/hl7Y5xJuyE
— Andrew Wilson (@AndrewWilson) May 20, 2019
Writer James Felton suggested authorities would need to do more than ban McDonald’s products.
Turns out if you ban the sale of McDonald's milkshake people are willing to shop aroundpic.twitter.com/8tyoxaw4u5
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) May 20, 2019
Twitter user Thomas violence focused on the response of Farage’s entourage – who the politician appeared to criticise in the aftermath of the incident, saying: “You could have spotted that a mile away.”
Chaotic scenes in Newcastle city centre as Nigel Farage hit by a milkshake. He’s been whisked away by his security. This is the aftermath. pic.twitter.com/qxz8yay492
— Sean Seddon (@seddonnews) May 20, 2019
Guardian writer Hannah Jane Parkinson enjoyed the crowd’s reaction.
the greatest thing about the Farage milkshake video is the person shrieking with laughter throughout the entire thing pic.twitter.com/Z2rWYbtIui
— Hannah Jane Parkinson (@ladyhaja) May 20, 2019
Neil Harris looped the footage for his own amusement.
i must have watched the Farage milkshake things about 10 times in a row.
— Neil Harris (@neildownstandup) May 20, 2019
if you want to do the same here it is 10x in a row pic.twitter.com/GXK1Zjg3Gw
Mhairi Black, meanwhile, hit back at Farage’s claims that the incident prove pro-EU activists had been “radicalised”.
Normal campaigning:
— Mhairi Black MP (@MhairiBlack) May 20, 2019
- standing in front of a poster very similar to those used by the Nazi’s
- saying you’ll “pick up a rifle” for Brexit after an MP was murdered
- demonising immigrants
- being the poster boy for a dark money-funded campaign that broke electoral law
🧐 https://t.co/82VCbySM7i
One Twitter user noticed some conveniently place advertising in the background.
Interesting advert in background! pic.twitter.com/8jeS53MnzQ
— Calumcarr (@calumcarr) May 20, 2019
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