Election worker attacked while putting up poster
A Conservative councillor suffered a head injury while putting up this poster for candidate Leila Williams
- Published
A councillor has been attacked while putting up an election poster for a Conservative candidate.
It happened in Upper Brighton Road, Sompting, West Sussex at about 17:00 BST on Saturday.
The man was treated in hospital for a head injury and is now understood to be recovering at home.
Sussex Police said a 63-year-old man from Sompting was arrested on suspicion of affray, criminal damage and assault causing actual bodily harm, and has been released on bail.
Leila Williams, the Conservative candidate for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: “It is shocking that anyone would resort to physical violence in this context.
“We have now sadly taken the decision to instruct my supporters not to display any posters for fear they may also experience violence or intimidation as a result of their support of me."
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Labour candidate Tom Rutland said: "Horrified to hear this and my best wishes for a quick recovery to Leila’s team member.
"Violence, fear and intimidation are not acceptable in politics or any other forum. They must be stamped out.”
The full list of candidates standing in East Worthing and Shoreham is:
David Batchelor, Liberal Democrat
Ivana Forman, Independent
John Greenshields, Independent
Lionel Harman, Reform UK
Tom Rutland, Labour
Frank Ward, Independent
Leila Williams, Conservative
Debbie Woudman, Green Party
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