Ukip election candidate hospitalised after attack
A Ukip election candidate has “extensive surgery” after being attacked in the street in an incident described as “shocking” and “horrifying” by his party.
Bobby Anwar, who is standing in Accrington in Thursday’s council elections, says he was stabbed in the face from behind with a sharp metal weapon, leaving him with a broken cheek bone and damaged eye socket, which required “extensive surgery” and “permanent metal plating”.
He also claims his young children have been “battered” by other children and that they and his wife have been called “kafirs” (infidels).
A Ukip spokesman said Mr Anwar’s injuries were “shocking” and his experience “horrifying”.
Lancashire Police said in a statement that it was investigating after an attack on a 33-year-old man in Accrington, Lancashire, on Saturday afternoon.
Punched
It added: “The victim was approached in the street and punched to the face causing a suspected fracture of an eye socket. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
“Police enquiries are ongoing and a 38-year-old man from Accrington has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and bailed pending further enquiries.”
Mr Anwar’s experience follows an attack on the home of Ukip MEP Gerard Batten on 13 May. His living room window was smashed with a brick in the early hours of the morning.
The attack on @GerardBattenMEP‘s house is a direct consequence of the media campaign against UKIP http://t.co/H0yhScJ3cl
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) May 13, 2014
Ukip leader Nigel Farage tweeted that “the attack on @GerardBattenMEP’s house is a direct consequence of the media campaign against Ukip”.
‘String of attacks’
His tweet included a link to a blog called Nope, Not Hope, which described the incident as “just the latest in a string of increasingly heated attacks on Ukip supporters”.
Mr Farage was attacked with a placard while campaigning in Kent in January. Andrew Scott, 38, was sentenced to 80 hours’ unpaid work for the assault. The Ukip leader also had eggs thrown at him in Nottingham on 2 May.
Mr Farage has linked the anti-racism groups HOPE not hate and United Against Fascism to violence carried out against Ukip members. HOPE not hate has instructed its solicitors to demand that Mr Farage withdraw his “libellous allegations” and apologise.