Three people were arrested after a Government minister ran the gauntlet of anti-war protestors as he made his way into a meeting.

Newcastle East MP Nick Brown, the Minister for Work and Pensions, was jostled as he approached the Old Assembly Rooms, in Newcastle city centre.

He was there to address the Northern Regional conference of the Trades Union Congress.

One of the protestors was apparently attempting to make a citizen's arrest of the minister, for what he said was the illegal invasion of Iraq by the British and USgovernments.

Another threw what appeared to be fake blood at Mr Brown.

Despite being slightly shaken, the minister was able to proceed into the building.

About ten anti-war protestors were lobbying the meeting, in Fenkle Street, off Westgate Road, carrying a banner reading "UK Government War Criminals".

A Northumbria Police spokesman said two women, aged 47 and 41, and a 28-year-old man, all from the Tyneside area, were arrested for breach of the peace.

The spokesman said: "A red substance was also thrown at some stage, but we have not received a complaint."

The three people arrested were being questioned by police last night, but were not expected to be detained.

14/04/2003