A British army veteran who was selling poppies at a train station says he was punched and kicked when pro-Palestine protestors staged a rally.

Jim Henderson, who served with the army in Northern Ireland, said he was attacked when trying to leave Edinburgh Waverly station.

The 78-year-old decided to pack up when the crowds became too busy but was soon pushed over.

He said: “I was getting shoved backwards, in danger of falling, and one of them stood on my foot and split my toe, so I thought I had got to get the money out of here.

“So, I went down, and as I bent down someone punched me in the back.

“And then I got another punch in my side.”

The attack only ended when railway staff intervened and shoved the demonstrators away.

Henderson added: “I’ve never known anything like it. Chanting. Saying it’s all about the British Government.”

Around 1,200 protestors took part in a sit-in at the station after police blocked their protest route.

The demonstrators shouted “ceasefire now” and “free Palestine” as they mobilised to protest against the Israeli attacks in Gaza.

Henderson, who served in the Royal Corps of Signals during the Troubles, told the MailOnline that he believes he was attacked on purpose: “You don't do that, and kick someone from behind and that was when I couldn't get out of the way. That's when I bent down and...bang.”

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer said the poppy was not a political symbol and chastised the protestors for their actions. He said they should make their arguments elsewhere “without appearing to try to intimidate ordinary citizens trying to collect a bit of cash”.

Edinburgh Waverly Station was eventually shut down by police whilst the rally continued to take place.