Rupa Huq `manhandled` by a Tory activist

Desk Report: Labour supporters have condemned Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party after they claimed that their candidate for Ealing Central and Acton Rupa Asha Huq was "manhandled" by a Tory activist, reports UK`s `Independent` newspaper.

The incident took place during a walkabout, as the Mayor of London was canvassing support for the local Tory candidate, Angie Bray, when Rupa Huq attempted to draw him into debate about the issues facing Ealing.

The pair can be seen striding along the pavement when Dr Huq is repeatedly grabbed by the activist who attempts to drag her away from Mr Johnson. He then appears to push Angie Bray branded leaflets across her face.

Dr Huq however, has demanded that Boris Johnson apologise to her, saying that her treatment was an “example” of how women were treated.

Ms Bray, who can be seen in the background of film taken of the incident, subsequently asked the activist to step down, apologising to Dr Huq on Twitter.

Dr Huq said: “I was trying to ask him serious questions about issues affecting Ealing, and to be grabbed and shoved around by his supporters is disappointing.

In response to the allegations, Julian Gallant, chairman of the Ealing Central and Acton Conservative Association, said that it was a regrettable situation, but that at no point was Dr Huq dragged or assaulted by the activist.

It is worth to be mentioned here that Rupa Asha Huq, born to Bangladeshi migrant parents in 1972, has been a former Deputy Mayor of the London borough of Ealing Central and Acton. She is a writer and columnist and a sociology professor at Kingston University.

risingbd/May 04, 2015/Aminul