Rupa Huq ‘manhandled’

Labour supporters have condemned Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party after claims that their

candidate for Ealing Central and Acton, Rupa Huq, was manhandled by a Tory activist, according to

British newspaper The Independent.

Rupa, who was born to Bangladeshi parents at Queen Charlotte’s in Hammersmith in 1972, is a

senior lecturer in the Sociology and Criminology Department at Kingston University.

The incident took place during a walkabout, as the Mayor of London was canvassing support for the

local Tory candidate, Angie Bray, when Rupa attempted to draw him into debate about the issues

facing Ealing.

The pair can be seen striding along the pavement when Rupa is repeatedly grabbed by the activist

who attempts to drag her away from Boris.

He then appears to push Angie Bray branded leaflets across her face.

Rupa, however, has demanded that Boris apologise to her, saying that her treatment was an

“example” of how women were treated.

Bray, who can be seen in the background of film taken of the incident, subsequently asked the

activist to step down, apologising to Rupa on Twitter.

Rupa 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.

“Boris and his team owe me an apology – it’s about the example politicians like him set to people,

particularly around how women are treated.

“If figures like Boris want to engage with voters, they can’t react to questioning by manhandling

people. You wouldn’t accept it in other walks of life, and people expect better from the Mayor of

London.”

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 Rupa dragged or

assaulted by the activist.

Gallant said: “I understand that during a walkabout, with Boris Johnson and Angie Bray in Acton, the

Labour candidate appeared suddenly between Angie and Boris, forcing a female supporter into the

road in the process.

“After trying to ask Boris several questions and after a few minutes she refused to walk away and

allow the walkabout to continue.

“It was a political stunt and only after several minutes did a conservative supporter place his hands

on Rupa’s shoulders to encourage her to leave.

“At no point was she dragged or assaulted and when she reached the corner she left Boris and his

entourage entirely voluntarily. Nonetheless, this was a regrettable situation and we have apologised

to Rupa and have asked the supporter in question to stand down from the campaign team, which he

has done.

“Angie was well behind and could not see clearly what was happening and she certainly wasn’t

smiling about it.”