Arrest in Mandelson custard probe

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The moment custard was thrown at Lord Mandelson

Police say they have arrested environmental campaigner Leila Deen after an incident in which green custard was thrown at Lord Mandelson.

The business secretary was confronted before he was due to take part in a low-carbon summit in London.

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show of his "surprise" his attacker had been able to avoid security outside the Royal Society on Friday morning.

Ms Deen, of Brighton, has been bailed to return at a police station in April.

Lord Mandelson said the custard had given him a "slight" facial irritation.

The police are not obliged to investigate an incident of this kind unless a formal complaint has been made.

Ms Deen, who is a member of the Plane Stupid campaign group, said after the incident that Lord Mandelson was targeted because of his support for a new runway at Heathrow airport.

Lord Mandelson also told Andrew Marr that he was "slightly surprised" his attacker "could just saunter off without being apprehended".

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told Sky News' Sunday Live programme: "I don't think in a democracy where people are able to speak up that anybody should chuck custard at anybody in the street. It's not appropriate."