Chorley councillor allegedly pushes Gaza protester

Police are investigating an allegation of assault after a protester claimed to be pushed by a councillor at a meeting.

Conservative councillor Craige Southern, who represents Euxton South, Mawdesley & Croston, was filmed approaching Jenny Hurley, 52, at the Chorley Council meeting.

Mr Southern told the BBC he "did not attack anyone".

Lancashire Police said it had received a complaint of assault but no arrests had been made.

The row took place at Chorley Town Hall on Tuesday night.

Mr Southern can be heard shouting "This is Chorley, not bloody Gaza", before appearing to make contact with Ms Hurley.

Ms Hurley, a member of campaign group Chorley for Palestine, had attended to make a statement calling on the ruling Labour group to introduce a motion backing a ceasefire in Gaza.

She told the BBC she had begun reading a statement calling for the motion to be passed. As the issue was unrelated to the item on the agenda, Chorley Council chief officer Chris Sinnott suspended the meeting due to breach of protocol.

'It was appalling'

However as she continued speaking, while holding a Palestinian flag, and other members chanted "Free Palestine", she said Mr Southern moved towards her shouting "Get out".

Ms Hurley said she was "pushed" and had her "jacket grabbed". She claimed she "would have fallen over" if she had not bumped into an usher stood in the doorway.

She said: "It was appalling. There was absolutely no need for it. It was just a peaceful protest, the meeting would have just been suspended and held up for a short while."

Mr Southern said he "felt threatened" by the protests and "I feared for the safety of others".

He said: "I was, in fact, protecting myself and others from these threatening and anti-democratic bullies who did all they could to try and disrupt the meeting to get their way over an issue that has absolutely nothing to do with Chorley Council."

Mr Southern added: "I will happily co-operate with any further investigation."

Labour councillor Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: "We absolutely support and promote the free speech of all in our community along with peaceful demonstrations and protest."

He added the Chorley for Palestine group had been "welcomed" in the past "provided that they adhere to the rules regarding public attendance".

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said it had received a complaint of assault and was investigating, but no arrests had been made at this stage.