Reform election candidate 'attacked' in Cornwall

Reform UK said Steve Rubidge was assaulted while in Falmouth

A Reform UK candidate suffered "severely torn ligaments" after being assaulted while campaigning, the party says.

Richard Tice said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Truro and Falmouth candidate Steve Rubidge was the victim of a "nasty attack" on Saturday and also had a bag stolen off him in Falmouth.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were investigating an incident which happened at about 13:15 BST in Grove Place, during the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival.

Mr Rubidge is among seven candidates standing for election on 4 July in the constituency.

A statement from Reform UK said Mr Rubidge, 51, was handing out election leaflets in Event Square when he was verbally abused by a man believed to be in his 20s.

The party said that, as Mr Rubidge tried to leave the scene after two other men turned up, he had a bag he was carrying grabbed off him by the first man.

He was eventually able to "wrestle the bag" back off the man, but he was punched and kicked multiple times, leaving him with injuries to his ligaments, Reform added.

The incident left Mr Rubidge shaken and shocked, the party's statement said.

'We don't fight'

In his social media video, Mr Tice said he was "appalled" after hearing about the alleged incident.

He said: "This is no way of having a democratic debate and discussion.

"We can disagree, but we don't fight each other. That's not what our democracy is about."

He added Mr Rubidge did go back on the campaign trail for a further four hours on Saturday.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers are investigating the alleged incident in Grove Place

A police spokesperson said: "Police were notified on Saturday 15 June to reports that a man had been assaulted on Grove Place in Falmouth.

"Enquiries are currently ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident."

They added anyone with information about the incident should contact investigating officers.

The incident involving Mr Rubidge is not the first alleged assault to involve a Reform UK member during the election campaign.

On 4 June, party leader Nigel Farage had a milkshake thrown over him while campaigning in Essex.

The full list of candidates standing in the Truro and Falmouth constituency is:

• Ruth Gripper - Liberal Democrat

• Jayne Kirkham - Labour

• Karen La Borde - Green

• Peter Lawrence - Independent

• Cherilyn Mackrory - Conservative

• Steve Rubidge - Reform UK

• Peter White - Liberal Party

You can use the BBC News lookup tool to find out which constituency you are in, who is standing as a candidate in your area and which polling station you can vote at.