Owen Jones: Three men arrested over attack on left-wing journalist outside pub

Suspects aged 29, 34 and 39 arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assault

Three men have been arrested over an attack on journalist Owen Jones outside a London pub.

The Guardian columnist had been celebrating his birthday with friends when they were approached by four men in Islington.

“Six of us left the pub and were saying our goodbyes 30 metres away, then a group of three or four men left the pub, made a beeline for me, kicked me in the back, threw me on the ground, slamming my head, and kicked me in the skull,” Mr Jones said.

“My friends were punched trying to defend me.”

The Metropolitan Police said the attack happened at around 2am on 17 August.

“A man, aged in his 30s, was approached outside The Lexington public house on Pentonville Road," a spokesperson added.

"The man was assaulted by four male suspects. When the victim’s friends attempted to intervene, they were also assaulted.

"None of those injured required hospital treatment or London Ambulance Service."

Three men, aged 29, 34 and 39, were arrested on Thursday after attending a police station, investigators said.

All three were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. They remain in custody.

In an earlier appeal, Scotland Yard said detectives were investigating whether the “completely senseless attack” was a hate crime.

Detective Sergeant Scott Barefoot said: “This was a completely senseless attack on a man simply enjoying a night out with friends.

"We are looking into the circumstances of this incident, including if it was a hate crime.

"Although there were no serious injuries, the effects of becoming a victim of such an attack can continue when any injuries have healed."

Owen Jones is an author and commentator in the Guardian (Getty Images)

The attack sparked an outpouring of support following a wave of violence and intimidation against journalists, with Jeremy Corbyn saying it appeared to have been "politically motivated".

“An attack on a journalist is an attack on free speech and our fundamental values," the Labour leader tweeted at the time.

Mr Jones is a frequent target for far-right activists who oppose his politics, with some groups spreading conspiracy theories claiming the assault was a "fabrication".

He was filmed and heckled by members of the UK "yellow vests" in January. The pro-Brexit group previously targeted broadcasters outside parliament and two members were later convicted of harassing pro-Remain MP Anna Soubry.

One of the convicts, James Goddard, was also fined for assaulting a newspaper photographer in Manchester.

Enhanced security was brought in at the Old Bailey for Tommy Robinson's hearings, after his supporters attacked cameramen and photographers, and intimidated news reporters.

The National Union of Journalists urged police to do more to protect journalists at a meeting in March, and recently warned of a “coordinated surge in violent extremism against journalists and media workers”.