Ed Miliband's hopes of putting weeks of negative headlines behind him were dashed when he was pelted with eggs on a walkabout at a London market.

The Labour leader's aides had briefed the event would put Mr Mili-band back on the political front foot following a staunch criticisms from his backbenchers.

Mr Miliband was supposed to use yesterday's visit to Walworth to accuse Prime Minister David Cameron of failing to help ordinary people with the rising living costs.

Instead, the Labour leader found himself under attack - from a man in the crowd wielding eggs.

Mr Miliband took at least one direct hit while others around him were splattered with egg.

Dean Porter, the man who threw the eggs, later joked he supported David Miliband, Ed's b rother and the man he beat to the leadership of the party.

Mr Porter also complained both Labour and the Tories were on the "side of the rich".

Mr Miliband attempted to shrug off the attack, removing his jacket and saying: "This is not the first time it's hap- pened to me, I'm sure it's not the last."

"I'm always looking for new ways to connect with the voters."

Later took to Twitter to thank all those he had met at the market in London for the "warm welcome today", adding: "Can recommend it for easy availability of eggs."

During the walkabout he also bluntly dismissed Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham's warning that Labour's message was not getting through to voters.

"I don't accept that," the Labour leader said.