A reporter has told how he was subjected to disgusting abuse while covering an asylum protest, with an event organiser waving a bag containing used toilet paper at him.

Oliver Leader, a Local Democracy reporter employed by KMTV who provides material for publications including the BBC, KentOnline, and KentLive, covered the event in Canterbury on Saturday.

Footage shows organiser Harry Hilden confronting Oliver as he filmed protesters outside Connors House, a Kent County Council building housing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

In front of a cheering crowd, Mr Hilden produced the toilet paper – which was inside a plastic bag – and told the reporter: “I’ve got a gift for you’”

He then led the crowd in a chant of ‘used toilet paper for the press.’

The footage was posted on Facebook and was watched more than 12,000 times.

Those expressing their approval included Kent County Counci’s Reform chairman Richard Palmer, who ‘Liked’ the post.

However, Cllr Palmer backtracked when approached by KentOnline, insisting he had been unaware of the full nature of the incident and questioning why police had not intervened.

He added: “I would treat NOT anyone like that. (I) didn’t watch the whole clip, just thought it was someone talking to him who had a problem with his mic not working.”

The post was also Liked by Peter Osborne, the counci’s cabinet member for Highways and Transport.

Speaking after the incident, Oliver said: “It was pretty alarming to become the centre of vitriolic attention, simply for doing our jobs and tring to provide a balanced and accurate record of events.

“When I approached Harry he waved what appeared to be used toilet paper in my face rather than answer any questions. Journalists should never be threatened or made to feel unsafe.”

Ian Carter, chief operating at KentOnline’s parent company Iliffe Media, said: “This was a very unsavoury incident and it is unfortunate in the extreme that Kent County Council’s chairman liked the post at a time when reasoned and polite debate is needed more than ever.

“We do, however, accept his assurance that he liked the footage without having watched it.”

Others who responded to the post included Lisa Biggs, who desribed Mr Hilden as ‘a true hero’ and Donna Hallett who said: “Proper mate bravo.”