A MAN who threw a milkshake at Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage was on Tuesday (18) ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service and pay the British politician £350 in compensation.
Paul Crowther, 32, admitted assault and criminal damage to a lapel microphone on Farage's suit after dousing him with a milkshake while he was campaigning for European elections in Newcastle, northeast England, on May 20.
Judge Bernard Begley told Crowther he was guilty of an "act of crass stupidity", ordering him to do 150 hours of unpaid work.
"I suppose for the split second the attack took place, Mr Farage would not know whether it was a harmless liquid or something, in this day and age, far more sinister," prosecutor James Long told North Tyneside Magistrates' Court.
Numerous members of parliament have been subject to death threats and harassment over their positions on Brexit since the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union.
Crowther told reporters at the time of the milkshake assault on Farage that his action was "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," Crowther said.
In a victim statement, Farage said: "I am concerned because of the behaviour of individuals like this, the normal democratic process cannot continue in a lawful and peaceful manner."
During the campaign for the May 23 European Parliament election, Carl Benjamin of the UK Independent Party (UKIP) and former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson were also targeted with milkshakes.
In March, a man was jailed for 28 days for striking opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while holding an egg, in a pro-Brexit protest.
AFP
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)