Former Lib Dem admits paint attack on Clegg

A FORMER Liberal Democrat activist has admitted splattering Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg with blue paint.

Stuart Rodger, 23, threw an egg containing the liquid as Mr Clegg visited Glasgow to meet party representatives last August. Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie was also hit by the paint.

Rodger yesterday admitted a breach of the peace charge at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was fined £200 after a sheriff told him his protest was “criminal”.

Rodger, a Glasgow University politics student, from Inverkeithing in Fife, said after the hearing he was not sorry for his actions. He said he carried out the stunt because he was unhappy with the Lib Dems’ coalition with the Conservatives, adding: “I stand by what happened that evening. He deserved it.”

The court heard Mr Clegg was attending a meeting at the Woodside Halls in Glasgow, when Rodger was seen sprinting towards the Lib Dem leader’s car and “shouting aggressively”.

He then threw an egg containing blue paint at Mr Clegg who, by this time, was making his way into the building. Mr Clegg dismissed the incident at the time saying: “These things happen. It’s not a big deal.”