Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Carl Benjamin: Fight breaks out after protesters try to throw milkshakes over Ukip candidate

Far-right figures greeted by angry protesters in Cornwall

Harry Cockburn
Friday 10 May 2019 16:10 BST
Fight breaks out in Truro after protesters try to throw a milkshake at UKIP MEP candidate Carl Benjamin

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Far-right agitator and Ukip European elections candidate Carl Benjamin has had a milkshake thrown in his direction while visiting the town of Truro in Cornwall.

Mr Benjamin was in the town with fellow far-right activist Milo Yiannopoulos while campaigning to be elected as MEP for the southwest.

Protesters greeted the pair in town with placards, reading: “Sexual harassment = violence”, “Super-callous fragile racist sexist Ukip a***hole”, and “Milo hates everyone including himself”.

And minutes after Mr Benjamin arrived at Truro’s Lemon Quay, the drink was thrown.

It is not clear how much, if any, of the milkshake hit the Ukip candidate.

Supporters of Mr Benjamin pulled the male protester to the ground and violent scuffles broke out.

The protester was later seen walking away.

Earlier this week, West Midlands Police said they were investigating Mr Benjamin in relation to repeated comments he made about raping Labour MP Jess Phillips.

“I wouldn’t even rape you, @jessphillips” he wrote on Twitter. He has since been banned from the social media platform.

Ms Phillips, who is frequently targeted with abuse, spoke about the impact of Mr Benjamin’s comments on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire Show.

She said: “I realised that I did what all women do in these situations – I had been putting a brave face on it and pretending that it was all fine and that I could cope.

“It sort of dawned on me that, for four years essentially, this man had made a career out of harassing me. And I felt harassed. I felt, ‘How can somebody say that they would rape me if forced, and be a legitimate candidate in an election?’”

Speaking about the milkshake incident, Devon & Cornwall Police said in a statement: “A milkshake was reportedly thrown over a member of the public by a man wearing black clothing and a white mask.

“Police carried out inquiries but the ‘victim’ did not make themselves known to officers.”

They added: “No official complaint has been received.”

A female protester was also reportedly prevented from throwing kippers at Mr Benjamin.

The milkshake throwing comes a week after another far-right figurehead, Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had two milkshakes thrown over him in two days while also campaigning to become an MEP.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in