Patten 'hit and pushed at protest'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.JOHN PATTEN, Secretary of State for Education, yesterday claimed he was pushed, shoved and struck with a placard as demonstrators screamed abuse outside a meeting of local Tories in west London.
Mr Patten said Clive Soley, Labour MP for Hammersmith, was involved in the protest which flared into the ugliest scenes the Secretary of State claims to have witnessed during his two years in the post.
He is to write to John Smith, the Labour leader, demanding that he denounces the protest and dissociates himself from such 'loony left' behaviour.
Mr Patten had been invited to attend a local government election meeting yesterday at which he was presented with a petition requesting he send in a government 'hit squad' to take control of Hammersmith School which inspectors say is 'failing'. He claims that one protester tried to pull him from a car as he attempted to retreat, accompanied by an 80-year-old school governor and a woman with her nine-year-old son.
Mr Soley said the allegations were 'totally untrue . . . It was an angry but totally controlled demonstration', and has written to Mr Patten demanding their withdrawal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments