Protester detained at Sheila Malcolmson's victory party

There was plenty of cheering at newly elected NDP MLA Sheila Malcolmson's victory party Wednesday night, but not everyone was in the mood to celebrate. 

A protester rushed the stage in an apparent attempt to approach Premier John Horgan, who appeared with Malcolmson after the high-stakes Nanaimo byelection.

It's unclear what the protester wanted, but RCMP officers were called to the venue and eventually led the man out of the building in handcuffs.

Const. Gary O'Brien said the 27-year-old was held at the Nanaimo detachment until the premier left the event.

"He was somewhat agitated," O'Brien told CTV News. "Once he was calm and the premier had safely left the area, the decision was made to release him without charges."

His identity hasn't been confirmed, but the RCMP said he's not from Nanaimo.

Malcolmson beat her BC Liberal opponent by about 1,900 votes in the initial count, helping sustain the NDP's minority government.   

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  An RCMP officer places a protester in handcuffs at the NDP's victory party in Nanaimo. Jan. 30, 2019.

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  NDP candidate Shiela Malcolmson celebrates with Premier John Horgan after winning the byelection in Nanaimo, B.C., on Wednesday, January 30, 2019. The New Democrats won a key provincial byelection in British Columbia on Wednesday that allows Premier John Horgan's minority government to maintain its grip on power. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito