Corbyn hit in head with egg during London mosque visit

Suspected pro-Brexit protester heard saying ‘When you vote, you get what you vote for’

Britain’s opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, being greeted by young women  on  a visit to Finsbury Park Mosque on Visit My Mosque day, in London, on Sunday. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters
Britain’s opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, being greeted by young women on a visit to Finsbury Park Mosque on Visit My Mosque day, in London, on Sunday. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

A man has been arrested after Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was egged during a visit to a north London mosque.

The attacker was overheard to say, "When you vote, you get what you vote for", and is thought to be a pro-Brexit protester.

The Metropolitan Police said a 41-year-old man was “quickly detained” by officers on suspicion of assault.

Mr Corbyn was unharmed and continued with his planned programme of constituency events, the Press Association understands.

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The attack happened while he and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott were visiting the Finsbury Park Mosque and Muslim Welfare House in his constituency.

It was part of the national Visit My Mosque Day where 250 mosques throw open their doors to welcome guests and non-Muslims.

It is believed the alleged attacker was one of these visitors, was not a regular guest there, and had been waiting inside the building.

It is believed that Mr Corbyn had been sitting and chatting with community leaders in a friendly atmosphere when a man came from behind and smacked him over the head with an egg.

The attacker was quickly surrounded by people in the room and police called.

British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) visits Finsbury Park Mosque in London on Visit My Mosque Day on Sunday. He was hit on the head with an egg during the visit. Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA
British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) visits Finsbury Park Mosque in London on Visit My Mosque Day on Sunday. He was hit on the head with an egg during the visit. Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA

He was overheard to say: “When you vote you get what you vote for. I believe in peace. I believe in voting.”

Mr Corbyn is believed to have left with a police escort at about 6.30pm.

‘Fantastic opportunity’

He later tweeted, without mentioning the egging: “Every year Muslim communities across the country open their doors to people of all faiths and none on #VisitMyMosque Day. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build understanding across communities and educate ourselves about our diverse communities. Let’s build bridges not walls.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “On Sunday, March 3 at around 3:52pm an egg was thrown at a Member of Parliament.”

The alleged attacker is in custody at a north London police station, the spokesman added.

The incident happened in Seven Sisters Road, and a marked police van with uniformed officers could later be seen in the driveway of the centre.

‘Demeans our democracy’

Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: "Acts of violence against politicians, loses your argument, lessens your cause and demeans our democracy. It's also just horrid. Don't do it. If you don't agree with him, raise your voice not your fists. Jeremy & every other representative deserves better than how febrile thing are."

Visit My Mosque day is facilitated by the Muslim Council of Britain. It began in 2015 with about 20 participating mosques, and this year over 250 took part all around the UK.

Jayde Russell, former interfaith co-ordinator for Regent’s Park Mosque in London, said: “I would get asked questions about whether Islam promotes terrorism – sometimes it hurts because you see how these stereotypes impact some individuals and wider society.

“That’s why I’m so passionate about speaking out and challenging the status quo such as through mosque open days.” – Press Association