Prime Minister Scott Morrison responds after protester ambush that led to him being rushed away by police

The prime minister was visiting a COVID-19 research lab when he was ambushed, forcing him to be evacuated in the back of a police van.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has responded to protesters who ambushed him forcing him into the back of a police van in Brisbane.

Refugee advocates threw red paint on his vehicle and smeared it on the glass doors of a University of Queensland building as he toured the campus’ COVID-19 vaccine labs on Monday.

Mr Morrison said it was very disappointing, especially given he was there in part to thank researchers.

“I thought it was unfortunate that what they’re doing was disrespected in that way,” he said.

Mr Morrison was forced into the back of a police van following the incident, before later appearing at the Visy Recycling Plant on the other side of the city.

while everything else is going on, refugee protesters in Brisbane poured red paint on Scott Morrison's C1 car and yelled at him on the way out of the building, before he was put into a police car #auspol https://t.co/dtyFBuqx5V pic.twitter.com/2tEc5B3hSa

— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) October 12, 2020

Outside the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology building, one protester chanted “eight years too long, free the refugees”.

The Refugee Solidarity group rally outside the building is believed to be about freeing 120 refugees in a hotel at in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane.

In a live video posted on the group’s Facebook page, another protester yells “freedom for refugees”.

“Scott Morrison we just want to have a chat to you this morning, we want to talk to you about why you’ve been locking up and torturing 120 men at Kangaroo Point,” the female says.

She then goes on to chant, “lock up ScoMo throw away the key, we won’t stop til we free the refugees”.

Refugee protesters have thrown red paint on Prime Minister Scott Morrison's car during his visit to the University of Queensland. Picture: Twitter via NCA NewsWire

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Meanwhile, Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Monday continued his attacks on the prime minister.

Mr Miles accused Mr Morrison of launching an “extraordinary attack” on him.

“He said I should stick to my day job, well this is my day job — delivering more and better health services for Queenslanders,” he said.

“This is from a bloke who has taken a whole week off leading our country to prop up his party here in Queensland in a state election campaign all because he wants to elect a premier who will just do what he says.”

The Prime Minister toured University of Queensland to view the progress on research for a COVID-19 vaccine. Picture: Darren England

On Sunday, Mr Morrison said of Mr Miles: “I think this guy’s got to grow up, I really think he does. I think those sort of juvenile remarks reflect terribly on him.”

It followed Mr Miles saying: “The prime minister is personally running the LNP’s campaign here in Queensland ... he is not a candidate in this election.”

The prime minister had enjoyed a ride atop a military tank on Sunday during a media photo opportunity but his journey to Queensland was far more bumpy on Monday, even before the spray from Mr Miles.