True blue: Clegg attacked by egg-throwing protestor
By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt
Nick Clegg has been splattered by blue paint by a protestor expressing his frustration with the coalition.
A man thought to be a disgruntled former party member incensed by the decision to enter government with the Conservatives threw the projectile – an empty egg shell filled with blue paint – while the deputy prime minister was in Glasgow last night.
Mr Clegg was left with the substance on his clothes and face, although much of it landed on Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, who was stood by Mr Clegg's side while he visited Woodside Hall.
Comment: In defence of throwing pies at politicians
The Lib Dem leader played down the event, telling Real Radio: "These things happen. It's not a big deal."
Mr Rennie said: "It was two disgruntled individuals, who chose not to speak about their concerns in advance but were purely interested in a stunt. Their behaviour has only obscured any message they may have had.
"I've always wanted a blue streak in my hair but my mother wouldn't let me."
A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "A 22-year-old man was arrested and detained in police custody in connection with an alleged breach of the peace and police assault following an incident at Woodside Halls at 5:45pm. He is expected to appear in court tomorrow."
The man in question is reported to be Stuart Roger, a politics student who opposed the formation of the coalition government last year.
"He left the Liberal Democrats in disgust and when he found out that Nick Clegg was going to be in Glasgow he wanted to protest directly against what they've been doing in terms of propping up the Tory government and allowing them to put through these austerity measures," a friend of the man told the Scotsman.
Mr Clegg was in Scotland promoting his party after the Scottish national party (SNP) cleaned up north of the border.
The practise of throwing paint or cake seems to have lost none of its popularity, with Rupert Murdoch the most recent victim, this time of a 'foam pie' attack while giving evidence to the culture, media and sport committee.
Then-business secretary Peter Mandelson was hit by a green custard pie by an environmental campaigner two years ago, while Tony Blair suffered a purple powder attack during PMQs as part of a Fathers4Justice protest in 2004.
