BREAKING NEWS

9:00am UK, Friday March 06, 2009

An anti-Heathrow protester has thrown green custard over Business Secretary Lord Mandelson as he arrived at the Government's low carbon economy summit.

Lord Mandelson is covered in green custard by an anti-Heathrow protestor

Lord Mandelson gets a large dollop of green custard in the face

Leila Deen, an activist from campaign group Plane Stupid, was behind the stunt.

She said she was protesting at reports that Lord Mandelsonmet lobbyists from Heathrow owner BAA before the Government gave the controversial go-ahead for a third runway at the London airport.

The incident happened a few seconds after Lord Mandelson got out of his ministerial car to attend the summit in central London.

Green Custard In Lord Mandelson's Face

Ms Deen, who calmly walked away after the incident, said "it's green custard I could eat this right now, it's totally harmless".

"The only thing green about Peter Mandelson is the slime coursing through his veins."

Gordon Taylor, who lives next door to the Deen family home in Brighton, said: "I think her mother would be proud."

Leila Deen

Activist Leila Deen

Lord Mandelson dismissed the incident, which raises questions about his personal security, as an "adolescent protest".

He told Sky News: "She was so busy throwing what seemed like green soup or something in my face that she failed to tell me what the protest was about, but as you can see thankfully it wasn't paint and I've come through it intact."

Lord Mandelson quickly walked into the building where the summit is being held after the incident and emerged a few minutes later, minus his coat.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said no arrests have been made and an investigation
will only be launched if a complaint was received.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also due to attend the summit along with other Government representatives and business leaders to discuss the "greening" of industry and opportunities for new jobs.

Plane Stupid has launched a series of high profile stunts in recent years against the Government's environmental policies