Mr charles Kennedy was expecting a sedate morning out on the English Riviera as the Liberal Democrat campaign reached Torbay yesterday. A handpicked audience of pensioners gave him a warm welcome in the Dick Francis Suite of Paignton's Redcliffe Hotel.
But before he could reach them Mr Kennedy received a rude wake-up call in the unexpected form of 72-year-old Peter Simpkins. Dressed in a smart check shirt, tan shorts and clutching a plastic bag, he twice shouted: "Piss off back to Scotland."
Mr Kennedy ignored him as an officer led the man away and took his details, warning he could face a public order charge for using "foul and abusive language".