Five people have been arrested following an alleged assault – reportedly using a traffic cone – on former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith at the Tory conference in Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police said three men and two women were arrested after reports of an assault on Portland Street at around 4pm.

Shortly after 4pm, Sir Iain attended a conference fringe event on Brexit at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

Sir Iain, who appeared on a panel alongside Brexit minister Lord Frost, told the event he was “assaulted by a bunch of protesters” on his journey there.

The ex-cabinet minister said: “I’m glad to be here. I can honestly say that I nearly wasn’t here because I was assaulted by a bunch of protestors on the way here.”

Explaining why he had initially arrived at the fringe meeting before leaving for a few minutes, Sir Iain added: “That’s why the police were dragging me outside the door, I’m afraid.”

And he joked: “Anyway, it’s good to be here – I can genuinely say that more than the others (on the panel)!”

Conservative Party conference: Member suspended after woman ‘violently assaulted’ in hotel bar

Conservative Party conference 2021: Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s awkward moment goes to heart of Tory dilemma

Conservative conference 2021: Sunak pitches the promise of a better future, but makes clear there will be tough choices ahead

Sir Iain was later heard describing the protesters as “morons” who were “incoherent” and “stupid”.

He was also reported to have been hit on the head with a traffic cone during the incident.

Sir Iain was quoted as telling The Spectator magazine: “They were shouting all along and then they smashed the cone on the back of my head.

“And so I turned and grabbed the cone and looked at them and I took a pace towards them and they backed off.”

Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Greater Manchester Police said officers were on the scene within three minutes after receiving reports of an assault.

“There aren’t believed to be any serious injuries and, following a short foot-pursuit, three men and two women have been arrested in connection with it, and remain in custody for questioning,” the force said.

“Inquiries are ongoing.”

Related posts:

Boris Johnson claims journalists are ‘always abusing people’ Labour reopens candidate selection process in race for Liverpool mayor Cameron cleared of breaking lobbying rules over reported approach to chancellor ‘Not the time to gamble’: Sturgeon says there are questions over Salmond’s return Sturgeon in thinly-veiled attack on Salmond as she launches SNP campaign May tells PM to level with the public as she slams ‘incomprehensible’ travel restrictions Hospital waiting lists could reach 13 million in coming months, health secretary warns Gas levy ‘threatens to fuel soaring household energy bills’ UK working ‘very effectively’ with France as over 1,100 migrants cross channel in two days Mandatory COVID jabs will be introduced for all NHS England full-time staff from April – Javid Met Police ‘considering’ cash for honours allegations made against Conservatives Sir Geoffrey Cox ‘does not believe he breached rules’ amid sleaze claims