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Mandelson slimed by Heathrow protester
Joe Murphy6 Mar 2009
The Heathrow runway protester who flung green custard over Peter Mandelson today told how she prepared her attack with organic ingredients.
Leila Deen exposed huge security flaws by strolling up to the Business Secretary and throwing a styrofoam coffee cup full of custard in his face.
A stunned Lord Mandelson staggered away, clearly taken by surprise, his eyes closed against the tepid liquid which also soaked his overcoat, scarf and tie.
He laughed off the attack later, joking about a “green revolution” — but security experts warned that it showed how easily a terrorist could have harmed one of Britain's most senior politicians.
Ms Deen, a 29-year-old charity worker and veteran of high-profile protest stunts for anti-air group Plane Stupid, told the Standard it was the first time she had attacked anyone. “I called to him, Mr Mandelson — this is for the third runway'!” she said.
“He started to say something as I threw it, and when hit he ducked and walked quickly inside.”
She said the minister would be targeted again because of his support for Heathrow expansion. “If Lord Mandelson continues to represent BAA and big business at a cost of society, he can expect this response,” she said, adding: “We cannot just let him and his friends in big business get away with ruining the environment.
“The only thing green about Peter Mandelson is the slime coursing through his veins.”
The custard attack took place when Lord Mandelson arrived for a summit on creating low-carbon jobs held at the Royal Society in Carlton House Terrace. He had just got out of his ministerial Jaguar when approached by Ms Deen, who was carrying the warm custard — a vegan version dyed green with food colouring — in a coffee mug.
After the attack the peer impressed colleagues by cleaning himself up and re-emerging within five minutes — in a tie he quickly borrowed from his private secretary and minus his soiled overcoat — to give three live television interviews.
“Whilst I'm prepared to take my fair share of the green revolution on to my shoulders, I'm less keen on having it on my face,” he joked.
The Prime Minister also made light of the attack. Addressing the carbon summit later, he said: “If anybody doubted the greening of Peter Mandelson and his willingness to take the green agenda on his shoulders we've seen it in practice on our television screens already this morning.”
Mr Brown's presence at the same summit begged the question why there was no visible police protection when Lord Mandelson, a former Northern Ireland Secretary, arrived.
Ms Deen was able to wander off without being stopped or arrested. Police said she would not be arrested now unless a complaint was made.
The Business Secretary said he was not concerned about his security. “It could have been nastier,” he told reporters. “Thankfully it was sort of, I think, organic and non-toxic.
“I also don't think that anybody should overreact and, if there's a security issue it's for the police and others.
“I lived with permanent round-the-clock security when I was Northern Ireland Secretary. I don't think I need to go back to that.”
Lord Mandelson started the day in a dark blue tie. His borrowed tie was in grey silk that did not match his striped shirt. By lunchtime he was in his third tie of the day — a perfectly matching deep blue.
Going out of his way to look relaxed, he even said he was “grateful” to Ms Deen for highlighting the Government's promise at the summit to create 400,000 jobs in low-carbon industries.
As part of a relentless effort to make light of the incident, he added: “I would rather people said it to my face than threw it in my face.”
He went on to joke how he thought it was guacamole — a reference to the Labour story that he once mistook mushy peas for the avocado dip.
Ms Deen's mother, Sheila, praised her daughter, saying: “I'm proud that she's got the courage of her convictions and she's prepared to take direct action for injustice.”
After watching the incident on television, Mrs Deen, 60, said: “When Leila usually makes custard it's quite lumpy, but this looked like pretty smooth custard.”
Her daughter has not flown for about three years because of her beliefs, she said. She even made the family travel for three days by train for a holiday in Morocco to avoid using an aeroplane.
Reader views (80)
He got off lightly.
- Mark, London, 08/03/2009 23:31
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If the substance contained no eggs then Mandy can at least claim that "The yolks not on him!"
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 08/03/2009 16:11
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A democratically elected government decides about issues after taking in account whatever is necessary for good governance. Only lawless who have scant respect for the law of the land and understanding of the issues can dare do that.
I hereby lodge a complaint to arrest her. I am not buying her story. She is downright irresponsible.
- Jai Kumar, Harlington,middex, 08/03/2009 15:19
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Wow!What a great you all live in> Here in redneck land you can get arrested for tossin crap in peoples faces. I want to live in a country where you can, like, walk up to someone you dislike and barf in their faces. Super cool!!! Groovy!!!Right on!!!
- Bubba, Topeka, KS USA, 07/03/2009 23:17
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Well done.
- Stephen Curry, Barnet, 06/03/2009 18:57
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It is outrageous that the police did not arrest her. By not taking action the police are suggesting it is now perfectly ok for anyone to walk in the street and throw liquids in someone's face. This is clearly wrong. She should be arrested and charged
- Ian, london, 06/03/2009 18:13
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Does this mean if I dont agree with Ms Deen's views I can throw some sort of liqud of her?
- Tang Shau Hung, Solihull, UK, 06/03/2009 17:41
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Now if someone did this to Deen in protest of her views she would claim assault and claim denial of her right to protest and denial of free speech.
I think that the 3rd runway is necessary. Refusal will merely push the jobs to Europe and lessen our competitiveness.
In time the requirement for the third runway will go, when we run out of fuel!!
- Hugh, Middx, 06/03/2009 17:26
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Funny isn't it, security just moved her aside after the "attack" so she could then make a speech.
Cant help but think its a New Labour stunt - to what end God only knows.
- Mike, London, 06/03/2009 17:15
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When my wife saw the video clip she remarked it was a shame it wasn't something a little more obnoxious thrown over Mandy but I reminded her that is little that is more obnoxious than the Prince of Darkness.
- Masher, harrow, 06/03/2009 17:03
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I've watched vidoes of the incident, Ms Deen's later tv interview, Peter Mandelson's response, John Prescott's view, and Gordon Brown's joking (with Mandelson present).
Silly Ms Deen has come out of it with egg on her face - metaphorically, of course!
- Mike, Cardiff U.K., 06/03/2009 16:24
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Ladies and Gentlemen.
Miss Deen would make a great Prime Minister.
No more wars; no more recession; just custard pie parties.
And for John L of Scarborough; had custard pies been enforcable by traffic wardens at £60 a throw to local councils; Miss Deen would have not only received a ticket; but would have been towed away as well.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 06/03/2009 16:11
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somebody is taking the rhubarb.
- Mike O'Brien, london.uk, 06/03/2009 15:51
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Hello London,
From what I have seen on the news, clearly this was assault an attack on a member of Government and the woman should of been arrested, no if's or but's?.
People may have very strong views but acting worse than a child is bang out of order.
What would of happened if the green gunge had been something else ..... like acid?.
It angers me to think I can park my car for a few minutes over time and get a fine for doing so, and yet some idiot throws a liquid at a member of Government and gets away with it .... does this apply to all?.
- John L., Scarborough, N. YKS, U.K., 06/03/2009 15:46
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I have never warmed to Mandleson, but he has showed a pretty decent sense of humour on this one. As for Miss Deen, I object to Plane Stupid dictating how people should live (and I don't own a car, partly for ecological reasons.)
If I am in the same location as Miss Deen I would be quite tempted to stick a large, wobbly trifle in her face, as a "legitimate political protest". I wonder if she would "salute my courage".
- Danny, London, 06/03/2009 15:43
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How pathetic and childish can you get! Sort of infantile behaviour you'd expect from a spolit brat. This sort of thing just reflects badly on the green movenment.
- Alan, London, 06/03/2009 15:40
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Everyone, even some vilified 'Minister', has a right not to be assaulted in the street. He gets credit for bravery, first for being there, then for not knowing if it was corrosive gel. She gets a lifetime of private shame, if she has any integrity (or knows what that is).
- Steve, London. England, 06/03/2009 15:37
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Shame that in a civilise world some people still use he law of the jungle. We all have one thing or another that we might not be happy with every government but to take the law into our hands is out of the question. I wish i was there i would have given Julia a citizen arrest for assaulting Lord Mandelson.
- Alex Lisinge, Putney London, 06/03/2009 15:35
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I have no time for ZANULab or whatever, but despise this sort of anarchic demonstration. Does not such an act count as assault? Surely it must do. Why is it that the "greens" and the "animal rights" brigade always seem to be the people who behave like this? In doing so they destroy their own credibility.
- Sandyhttp://Www.Thisislondon.Co.Uk/Standard/Article-23656626-Details/My%20novelist%20mother%20was%20insane%20to%20kick%20me%20out%20because%20of%20drugs/Article.Do?Expand=True#Startcomments, Ealing, UK, 06/03/2009 15:32
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Toks, civilized and mature argument has no effect whatsoever. Direct action and the use of green custard are all that's left to us now that they have rescinded Magna Carter and criminalised all our actions. Politicians deserve to be custardised big time.
- Neil M., london uk,, 06/03/2009 15:24
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I saw his interview on TV. He talks so slow and boring he puts you to sleep. He also used the actual word 'Talk' about ten times, which makes you realise that is all this lot ever do. TALK TALK TALK and no proper action. The sooner nulabour are yesterday's men the better.
- Norcot, Oakham. UK, 06/03/2009 15:24
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BTW:
The licence plate of mandelscum's Jag is:
LX 06 EGY
- Weddigen, London SW3, 06/03/2009 15:22
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Good for her The 3rd runway is not required.Mandelson is a nasty piece of work who has got something on both Blair & Brown, so keeps getting back into Government. It is really time to make life difficult for these people who have and still are wrecking your country. Here in France we show our disaproval of politicians with more vigour when it becomes necessary The result; the politicians hide in Paris and often give in as they are cowards. You Brittaniques have lost your bottle. To the barricades citoyens,one citoyenne has shown you the way.
- Mordwinoff, Lisle France, 06/03/2009 15:22
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Bit confused, was the green slime oozing out?
- Dee Jay, Fleet UK, 06/03/2009 15:22
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What amused/bemused me was that immediately after the assault, the woman calmly walked away with no one in pursuit. In a way it's a comfort because it shows that it's not just in my part of town that you never see a policeman. If this was the 'States, Mandelson would have been surrounded by security staff and Ms Deen would have been thrown to the ground and manacled or maybe even shot. One final point. She lives in a £500,000 house. Heating a property that big can't be environmentally friendly.
- Jargonaut, South London, 06/03/2009 15:05
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This young lady should be jolly grateful to be living in a liberal democracy. Contrast the lot of the Baghdad shoe-thrower. Disgrace.
- Matthew Moran, Milton Keynes, England, 06/03/2009 14:49
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I find it quite amusing how the upper class will do things like this - similiar how the fox hunting protest stormed parliament. Aeroplanes and foxes - God bless the upper crust of England..........
- Tony, London, 06/03/2009 14:36
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they have no mandate and won't call an election. nobody wants them, get them out. they don't listen to anything we have to say, remember all the pre-iraq protests? did they listen? no.
all we have left is direct action - more please, apathetic londoners
- James, northants uk, 06/03/2009 14:34
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a waste of custard. if she thinks that stunt would make the government change its mind,she's delusional.
how would she react if the same thing happened to her? I don't care for Mandelson but people need to articulate their concerns in a civilized mature manner
- Toks, London, 06/03/2009 14:21
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Mickyinlondon so are you happy that people "slime" you when they disagree with you ...... ? do you see where that path leads or are you with the plain stoopid brigade ?
- Simon, london, 06/03/2009 14:21
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She should of course have been arrested but of course the police often fail to arrest people who perform a criminal act and I would guess that they won't even record the crime.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England, 06/03/2009 14:15
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Sweet Julia, I have just fell in love with you. Good on you young lady.
- Alex, brighton, 06/03/2009 14:06
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Fantastic
- Harvey Lawrence, London UK, 06/03/2009 14:04
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It is totally wrong to use any form of physical attack like this. There are plenty of ways to make a point with resorting to physical intimidation. It would have served her right if security had decked her for her trouble (as with the man who had John Prescott retaliate).
- Graeme, Tyne and Wear, 06/03/2009 13:50
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Politicians don't deserve treatment like this, whoever they are or however much you hate them.
Had this person lobbed custard over someone in a pub or anywhere else, she would be prosecuted.
- Steve, Gloucestershire, 06/03/2009 13:38
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Did anybody do a health and safety assesment for the green additives in the custard, or should we not really be concerned with trifles ?
- Rubarb &, London, England, 06/03/2009 13:33
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I would not be a big fan of Mandelson, but I do now understand why this group include the word "Stupid" in their name.
- Peter, Greenwich London, 06/03/2009 13:27
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It is little things like this that make you LOVE England!
- Dida Halake, London, 06/03/2009 13:17
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Absolutely Brilliant!
- Steve Freud, New York, 06/03/2009 13:15
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This behaviour is disgraceful. Of course you can argue your point intelligently but you can't go around assaulting people.
No doubt she'd be furious if security staff had restrained her or worse.
Childish and immature.
- Ged, Ramsgate, 06/03/2009 13:12
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If you disagree with the actions of this one young female; doing just about the only thing left she could do; and do alone with courage; in protest over the destruction of homes and a community; just for another runway at Heathrow; and to hell with the local people.
Which could easily have been serviced elsewhere in the UK; then ask yourselves why the Government does as it pleases; and without listening to those very people that are forced to live; or even move home because of them; and their allegiance to big business over small people etc.
Democracy is just a word to New Labour; nothing more.
But they do hate rebels and people with conviction; that stand up to them; I think this young woman is a true English Rose; long may she live; her kind is very rare in the defeated England; that we live in today.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 06/03/2009 12:50
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Since this woman committed an assault, will she be taken into custardy?
- Anthony, Easher, Surrey, 06/03/2009 12:43
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Julia, London, England
Sorry Julia, you're the one who is wrong. Unless you agree with unelected, proven fraudsters governing us and telling us how to live our lives.
He deserves anything coming his way.
- Margy, London, 06/03/2009 12:42
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I don't agree with the Plane Stupid people's ideals but this little act made me laugh. Couldn't have happened to a nicer man!
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 06/03/2009 12:37
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Well done for setting the "Green" cause back 10 years by this mindless act. Actions like this will press for more security staff and remove MPs' from being near the public.
- Andrew, London, 06/03/2009 12:29
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I think she should have added green apples as well
- Jaberwokie3, switzerland, 06/03/2009 12:25
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I agree with Julia.
Why resort to this low life sort of behaviour? People like this are no better than someone coming up to you in the street and thumping you! ( I don't like or dislike Mandy)
- Daisy, Islington, London, 06/03/2009 12:24
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Good for her.
At least she had the guts to do something that most people would love to do to these leech politicians.
No doubt the "security" services will be taking more of an interest in her now.
- Mark H, London England, 06/03/2009 12:20
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Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke.
- Austen, London, 06/03/2009 12:17
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Grow up custard thrower - your childish prank infantilizes a just cause and will not help those genuinely protesting against a third runway at Heathrow.
- Derek, London, 06/03/2009 12:12
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I don't care for Mandelson at all but actions like this are idiotic, as are the comments on here applauding it. In the wider body of public opinion you do no favours at all to the merits of the underlying argument by stooping to cheap stunts.
- Brian Galloway, Camberley, 06/03/2009 12:07
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Couldn't have happened to a nicer chap!
- Peter Noterfed, Paris, France, 06/03/2009 12:00
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Dont ya just love her.
- Martin, yorkshire, 06/03/2009 12:00
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This vile woman should be dragged before the courts and jailed. 3 months should suffice, assault is assault.
- Harry, London, 06/03/2009 12:00
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Much as I dislike Peter Mandelson, I don't see why it is acceptable to attack politicians. They have a job to do and should be able to do so without fear of assault.
"Grunging", really is a pathetic form of protest. Ms Dean does a fine job of reflecting the name of her organisation.
- Claire, Limehouse, London, 06/03/2009 11:46
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Just because somebody is in the public eye, doesn't give sad acts like this a licence to do as they feel fit.
I hope her family and "friends" are proud.
- Barry Chapman, Welwyn England, 06/03/2009 11:43
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Childish act by another layabout. This does the green cause no good whatsoever.
Where are the police here.
I do not paticularly like Mandy but controvercial public figures gain from these stupid acts.
- Tomfitz, Loughborough, 06/03/2009 11:39
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It certainly was PLAIN Stupid
- Bernard Parke, GUILDFORD, 06/03/2009 11:35
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Julia, I think you'll find yourself in the minority ...
WELL DONE Ms Deen!
- Marianne, SW France, 06/03/2009 11:35
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Covered in slime.. he should feel right at home then.
- Dan, Manchester, 06/03/2009 11:34
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Surely the best set of news photographs this year. Well done. Looking at the video film shows this took place in just about 3 seconds. I hope this does not start a trend as dry cleaning fluid is bad for the environment.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, England, 06/03/2009 11:29
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Surely this is a trifling matter?
- Keith, Kings Cross, London, UK, 06/03/2009 11:26
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I would not normally condone any action like this.
But!
" Way to go Girl"
You have only done what millions of Brits, and may be even other EU members would love to do.
- Mick, New York, 06/03/2009 11:23
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Clearly, slime attracts slime. Who'd have thought it was magnetic!
- A. Cameron, Liege, Belgium, 06/03/2009 11:16
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What a self-righteous little child. This does nothing to legitimate her cause - in fact, it only alienates people from it.
- Julia, London, England, 06/03/2009 11:16
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Good for her! We need more people to throw custard over our politicians.
- Jon, London, 06/03/2009 10:58
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I love the way nobody really stepped in to protect him and that she is allowed to walk away, almost with a little pat on her back from the guards.
- Slartibartfast, London, 06/03/2009 10:39
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Is it avocado dip or mushy peas?
- Lyndon Gee, Westminster, 06/03/2009 10:20
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I don’t necessarily agree with the womans agenda but I definitely agree that Mandelson deserves to be slimed.
- Graham, London, 06/03/2009 10:17
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A spokesman may have added, "the green custard is in a satisfactory condition, in spite of being in contact with a Mandleson" !
- James Adams, Ispwich, UK, 06/03/2009 10:11
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Her details are known and although no police were around at the time she should be arrested and charged with assult - cowardly - I have no respect for a slime-ball like her.
- Sean, London, 06/03/2009 10:08
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I dont like the man that's for sure but I think he was very lucky that nothing worse was thrown in his face where was his security staff ?
- Linda Cliff, London, 06/03/2009 10:02
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"Slimey Mandelson" would have been a better headline.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 06/03/2009 09:58
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This is the happiest day of my year so far. Oh Joy! This is wonderful - marvellous!
- Neil M., london uk,, 06/03/2009 09:58
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Silly girl - do something constructive with your life.
- Marvin, Barnet, 06/03/2009 09:57
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How can we be sure that it wasn't just him normal bodily excretions?
- Lezli Taubler, London / UK, 06/03/2009 09:57
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At last some revenge against the Lord of Darkness! This has made my weekend. Maybe somebody will do the same to Gordon - yellow custard would suit him best.
- Thomas, London, 06/03/2009 09:48
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Brilliant - We need more action like this to get through to the politicians who are grinding this country into the ground as they fail to listen to what anyone i.e. the Public are telling them.
- Fly, london, 06/03/2009 09:44
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Well done Ms Deen. Must be a lot of people out there that would have liked to have done it.
- Tony Islander, Herts, 06/03/2009 09:44
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Custard? Surely it was guacamole...or mushy peas?
- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County, 06/03/2009 09:39
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