Labour leader hit on his head and jacket during visit to a south London street market
Ed Miliband has been pelted with eggs by a former homeless man protesting that Labour and the Tories are both "on the side of the rich".
The Labour leader was hit at a south London market as he spoke about the rising cost of living during his first public appearance since returning from holiday.
When the first egg landed on his head, he was greeting wellwishers wanting to have their photograph taken with him.
Several more eggs followed, forcing Miliband to remove his jacket as well as catching aides and journalists in the crossfire.
Miliband appeared to take the egging in good humour, laughing it off as something that had "happened before and would happen again". He added: "I am always looking for new ways to connect with voters."
The egg thrower, Dean Porter, 38, was led away by market security guards and pushed to the ground.
Porter, who got a cut lip in the fracas, said he had thrown food at Miliband because the Labour leader is "part of the problem" in politics.
"He hasn't represented the poor enough just like any other politician," he said, having come down to the market armed with eggs especially for the purpose. "Quite frankly the issue regarding homeless is atrocious", he said.
"I don't agree with any of the politicians. It's just the usual rhetoric. I was homeless on and off for about five years in London. I'm not now but that's no thanks to the policies they introduced."
He suggested he might have voted for David Miliband if he had won the leadership election instead of his brother.
Despite the , Miliband had a positive reception from many at the market, with crowds gathering to catch a glimpse of him speak.
He was followed down the street by one supporter, Princess Abdulei, 58, chanting "We like you, Labour".
"Labour have done well for me when I came to this country, the time when Tony Blair was in power," she said. "I came from Sierra Leone when it was having war."
During the visit to East Street, in Walworth, Miliband chatted to market traders, stopped at a pop-up shop and had a cup of tea in a local cafe.
Police have not made any arrests over the egg incident, as it is understood Miliband does not want to take the matter further.
