Duck! Other politicians under aerial attack

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Duck! Other politicians under aerial attack
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2009/mar/06/protest-politicians-peter-mandelson

Posted by Paul Owen Friday 6 March 2009 10.54 GMT


Today's green slime attack on Lord Mandelson is not the first time a politician has been pelted by a protester. Here are some of the best examples from the last few years


The attack on Lord Mandelson with green custard today (video footage above) is far from the first time a politician has found themselves pelted with an unusual object. Here we look at some of the best examples from the last few years.


Shoes for George Bush

In December last year, George Bush made his last visit to Iraq as US president, and was greeted at a press conference with a pair of shoes, thrown at him by a local journalist, Muntadar al-Zaidi. Showing the soles of shoes to someone is considered an insult in the Arab world. The incident was later replicated at the University of Cambridge when a student protester threw a show at Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier.

An egg for John Prescott

In May 2001, during campaigning in Rhyl for the general election, John Prescott, then the deputy prime minister, was hit by an egg thrown at close range by Craig Evans, a farmer. Prescott – a former boxer – immediately hit back with a left jab, and the scene descended into a brawl. Tony Blair famously shrugged off the incident with the words "John is John".

Purple powder in parliament

Three years later, two Fathers 4 Justice campaigners disrupted proceedings at the House of Commons by throwing purple flour bombs at Blair as he spoke to MPs. The action by the fathers' rights campaigners led to a review of anti-terrorism measures in parliament.

A custard pie for Woolas

Last year Phil Woolas, the immigration minister who has made several controversial pronouncements, was hit with a custard pie on a visit to the University of Manchester. The culprit was a pro-immigration activist.
There have been many more – including a custard pie for Ann Widdecombe in 2000 and a jug of water poured over Prescott by Chumbawamba at the Brits. Please add any links of your own below.