Farage ‘concerned about level of hatred’ after milkshake incident

Nigel Farage has said he is “concerned” about the level of “hatred” being directed at him after he was doused with a milkshake.

The Brexit Party leader had a banana and salted caramel drink thrown at him while on a walkabout in Newcastle city centre on Monday afternoon.

He said he did not know what was being thrown at him, and called for a message to be sent that “people can’t behave like this”.

Asked if he would change the way he campaigns, Mr Farage told the Press Association: “I hope not but I am concerned about the sheer level of hatred coming from those who think they’re better than me.

“I just think we’ve reached a point where normal campaigning is becoming very difficult, and that in a democratic society cannot be a good thing.”

He said what happened to him was “part of something bigger that’s going on”.

“Civilised democracy only works if you’ve got the loser’s consent – you know, you lose the election, you don’t like it, but you accept it because that’s the system.

“Ever since 24 June 2016 we’ve had senior members of the British establishment – including two former prime ministers – literally refusing to accept the result, saying that those that voted Brexit didn’t know what they were voting for – they’re thick, they’re stupid, they’re lazy, they’re racist, they’re working class, they’re fat, they’re horrible.

“And that gives people on the other side of the argument a sense of moral superiority. And if you think you’re better than everybody else that then leads, I’m afraid, to a breakdown, not just in democracy, but in the civilisation that goes with it.

“And I think we’re in a very bad place with this.”

Asked if he was frightened by what happened, Mr Farage replied: “It takes a lot to frighten me.”

On Tuesday, Northumbria Police said 32-year-old Paul Crowther had been charged with common assault and criminal damage following the incident.