'Tory KO'd in Labour scrap'

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Four Tory activists today claimed they were punched, kicked and verbally abused in a clash with Labour rivals while canvassing commuters.

One supporter of Romford Conservative candidate Andrew Rosindell was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital.

The fracas took place outside Romford rail station during rush hour yesterday evening as Labour and Tory campaigners leafleted commuters. According to witnesses the two camps traded insults before coming to blows.

Mr Rosindell said one of his supporters, Romford student Robert Benham, 23, was hit first after exchanging angry words with a Labour supporter.

Tory activists said they were punched when they tried to intervene. Police and an ambulance were called and Mr Benham was taken to Old Church Hospital, Romford, where he was being treated for minor head injuries.

Mr Rosindell said: "As soon as the punching began, a Labour supporter walked towards me. I was pulled away by one of my campaigners and ran into the station behind a barrier. It was very scary. They just went berserk." Tory campaigner Peter Marks, 16, said: "About four Labour supporters grabbed Robert by the throat. A couple of us jumped in to help and were attacked. I took a picture with my phone for police evidence.

"Three guys punched me in the stomach twice, shouting, 'Give up the phone.' They grabbed it and deleted my pictures. I'm shaken and shocked."

Tim Schmidt, 20, an American student intern at Mr Rosindell's office, said: "One [Labour activist] had a loudspeaker and was insulting Andrew. He leaped on one of our campaigners and started choking him. I was punched in the face twice by another man."

Romford police later released a man without charge in relation to the attack. Labour party officials in the area were unavailable for comment.

 

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