Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has called for measured tones after being hit by a “very heavy” traffic cone at his party’s conference in Manchester.

Appearing on a panel alongside Brexit minister Lord Frost on Monday, the Conservative MP told a fringe event he was “assaulted by a bunch of protesters” on his journey to the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel venue.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed five people – three men and two women – were arrested following the alleged assault on Portland Street at around 4pm.

Reflecting on the incident on Wednesday, he told Sky News those involved were trying to “do some damage to me”.

Sir Iain admitted he then “lost my temper and I went towards them”, which then caused them to “back off”.

He said this showed they were “pretty cowardly at the same time”.

“My simple plea to everyone is do not say things that incite people to be violent,” Sir Iain told Sky News.

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“It is very important to us to always measure our tone so that at the end of it all nobody can claim that they were sent subliminal signals that it is okay to threaten people because they do not agree with what you say.”

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

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

On Monday, the force said: “Inquiries are ongoing.”

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