Woman charged with assault after milkshake thrown over Nigel Farage

Essex Police said Victoria Thomas Bowen is due to appear before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 2.

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage had a milkshake thrown over him as he left the Moon and Starfish pub after launching his General Election campaign in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

A woman has been charged with assault by beating and criminal damage after a milkshake was thrown over Nigel Farage.

Images appear to show a McDonald’s banana milkshake being thrown at the Reform UK leader as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex on Tuesday.

The veteran Eurosceptic had earlier addressed supporters at a rally in the town after announcing he would stand for election in the constituency.

He was seen with the yellow drink splattered across his dark blue suit as he boarded his campaign bus.

Essex Police said on Wednesday that a 25-year-old woman has been charged with assault by beating and criminal damage.

The force said Victoria Thomas Bowen is due to appear before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 2.

Essex Police said in a statement: “The charges relate to an incident in which a drink was thrown at a man in the area of Marine Parade East, Clacton, at around 2.10pm on Tuesday.”

The force added that a 44-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker has been released and will face no further action.

Mr Farage, who has been the target of “milkshaking” incidents in the past, appeared to make light of the latest incident in a social media video.

In a clip shared online, he raised a McDonald’s milkshake in his hand and said “my milkshake brings all the people to the rally”.

Mr Farage had a £5.25 Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake thrown at him in 2019 during a campaign walkabout in Newcastle.

“Milkshaking” – the act of dousing public figures in milkshake – was officially recognised by Collins Dictionary the same year.