Doug McLeod: Republican politician punched wife in face because she didn’t undress quickly when he wanted sex, police say
Officers reportedly find drunk politician and blood in bedroom after suspected assault
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A Republican politician reportedly punched his wife in the face after she didn’t undress quickly enough when he wanted to have sex, according to a police report.
Doug McLeod, a state legislator from Mississippi, was arrested on Saturday and charged with domestic violence.
The 58-year-old is believed to have been drunk during the suspected attack, with officers reporting that they found him clutching a glass of alcohol when they arrived at the scene.
His alleged assault left the victim with a bloodied nose, according to The Sun Herald.
Officers also found blood in the couple’s bedroom, according to the police report.
When deputies told Mr McLeod they were responding to a reported domestic assault, the state congressman said ”are you kidding me?”
Another woman inside the house told officers the legislator had punched his wife inside the bedroom, according to WLOX News.
An ambulance was called for the victim. She was examined at the scene and did not require hospitalisation.
Mr McLeod has represented Mississippi’s George and Stone counties since 2012.
He is running unopposed in an election for his seat in August and recently voted to ban abortion in Mississippi from around the sixth week of pregnancy, after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
Mr McLeod’s state Republican colleagues said that he should resign if the domestic violence allegations against him are proven.
Philip Gunn, the speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, said Mr McLeod’s alleged actions were “unacceptable”.
“I have attempted to contact Rep. McLeod to request his resignation, if in fact, these allegations are true,” he said, according to the Clarion Ledger.
“These actions are unacceptable for anyone.”
The state Republican Party echoed Mr Gunn’s comments in a separate statement.
“If the allegations against Rep. McLeod are true, he should resign immediately,” Lucien Smith, chair of the state party, said.
“Violence in any relationship is unacceptable, and I condemn this conduct in the strongest possible terms.”
The George County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the case.
Mr McLeod is currently free on bail.
Additional reporting by agencies
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