Police thought 'sliming' Mandelson was funny

London: The protester who threw green custard at Lord Mandelson claimed Monday that police who arrested her thought the stunt was funny.

Leila Deen was questioned over the attack at Belgravia police station where she was held for two hours.

In an interview Deen, 29, said: "It was fine. Some of the officers were saying they saw me on television and making jokes about custard. The impression I got is that even they seem to find the whole thing quite amusing."

Deen, a charity worker who lives in Hackney and spokeswoman for the direct action group Plane Stupid, "slimed" Lord Mandelson on Friday in protest at plans for the construction of a third runway at Heathrow.

The stunt, captured by TV cameras, has turned Deen into something of a celebrity and earned her cult hero status in the environmental movement. She told how she had been inundated with messages of support and even offers of money to throw custard at other politicians.

"It's been hectic," she said. "I've had over 100 text messages from people I haven't spoken to for years, saying 'well done' and 'he deserves it' and 'I'll give you a tenner if you do Prescott as well'.

"I went to the pub and five people I've never met came up to congratulate me. One guy wanted a photo with me. Everybody agrees that of all the politicians, he [Lord Mandelson] is the one who deserved the sliming."

Deen defended her actions, branded "adolescent" by Lord Mandelson, who expressed surprise that his attacker was able to "saunter off" on Friday, only to be arrested later.

Deen said: "It's not adolescent, but it is desperate. There are those who say we need mature debate, not silly stunts, but the reality is that Plane Stupid has already won the debate on Heathrow's third runway. The media agreed with us, as did the mayoral candidates, and 85 per cent of those consulted didn't want it, and yet the Government have still decided to go ahead. So mature debate is over. And all we have left are high-profile, creative, amusing direct actions."