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”.
“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.
