Campaign: Cameron laughs off egg attack by student after college visit

Mr Cameron was struck on the shoulder as he emerged from answering students' questions during a visit to a college in Cornwall.

Having been confronted with a giant chicken yesterday, Mr Cameron joked: "Now I know which came first – the chicken, not the egg."

The Tory leader was hit as he emerged from Cornwall College Saltash.

The egg was thrown by a student who was inside the building as Mr Cameron was about to walk out.

It glanced off his shoulder and splattered on the jacket of a police officer beside him, while the yolk also stained Mr Cameron's white shirt.

Eyewitnesses said the young man who threw the egg was immediately led away. The student was arrested and then quickly released after police established he did not have any more missiles with him, a Tory aide said.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "It was a 16-year-old student that threw an egg.

"It didn't hit David Cameron but it hit someone else at the event.

"He was arrested but was de-arrested before reaching a police station."

A spokeswoman for Cornwall College said: "We are delighted that our students had the opportunity to meet David Cameron today to discuss issues relevant to them.

"It was a terrific event with some great questions and real interest in the election.

"We are extremely disappointed that the actions of one student marred this otherwise excellent opportunity to engage students in the election process."