Ashdown tells of flick-knife attack after racism row
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PATRICIA WYNN DAVIES
Political Correspondent
Paddy Ashdown yesterday told how a man held a flick-knife to this throat in a late-night attack during a row over racism.
The Liberal Democrat leader, a former marine, retreated to an Indian restaurant while police arrested a man after the incident in Yeovil, Somerset.
The assault, preceded by verbal abuse from a gang of men, came as Mr Ashdown was making a tour of his constituency with local vicar, the Rev Mark Ellis. The two men set up an anti-racism group, Partnership Against Racial Harassment in Yeovil, in the wake of press reports of harassment of Indian and Pakistani restaurateurs by drunken men after closing hours. A criminal charge is pending against a woman for throwing a fire-bomb into one premises.
The incident took place as the Liberal Democrat leader walked around the town centre at 11.30pm on Sunday. "Suddenly we were approached and accosted by a group of three men in their early twenties," he said. "They suddenly spotted me, and there was a good deal of taunting and abuse."
The gang was joined by another man. "I said to him 'Would you like to come for a walk with me?' So we went for a walk together.
"He kept on saying to me he wanted to stop. Quite suddenly he turned very aggressive and tried to knee me in the groin.Then he pulled a flick- knife out of his pocket and opened it."
Mr Ashdown said the knife was held at the left side of his throat. "That I decided was just a little bit too far so I pushed it away rather forcibly."
t A 51-year-old man was remanded in custody for eight days by Yeovil magistrates yesterday in connection with the incident, charged with possessing an offensive weapon - a knife - and threatening unlawful violence.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments