George Galloway left with severe bruising after attack in Notting Hill by man 'shouting about the Holocaust'
Police were quickly on the scene and made an arrest
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Respect MP George Galloway suffered a suspected broken jaw when he was attacked in the street as he posed for pictures with members of the public.
He was assaulted, said his spokesman, in Notting Hill, London, by a man who shouted a remark about the Holocaust before punching the MP.
Mr Galloway was taken to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, for treatment to his jaw, severe bruising to his head, and for a suspected broken rib. He was described by his spokesman as being in “a pretty bad way”.
"George was posing for pictures with people and this guy just attacked him, leapt on him and started punching him,” the spokesman said.
"It appears to be connected with his comments about Israel because the guy was shouting about the Holocaust.”
The motivation for the alleged attack remained unclear last night but earlier this month Mr Galloway was interviewed by West Yorkshire Police after he made a speech in Leeds in which he claimed Bradford was an “Israel-free zone” where Israeli tourists were unwelcome.
A man was arrested shortly after the alleged assault and a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 1940 hours this evening to Golborne Road, W10, after a man was assaulted in the street. Officers attended. The suspect was found a short time later and stopped.”
"He was arrested on suspicion of ABH and taken to the south London police station where he remains."