Former Rotherham MP attacked in London
FORMER Rother Valley MP Alexander Stafford is hoping CCTV images will help police identify the thug who battered him to the ground at a London railway station
The ex Conservative MP was attacked at West Ealing station in west London on Thursday evening.
Stafford was punched twice after a man forced his way through ticket barriers behind him.
"I felt him grab my arm then pain on top of my head and jaw as he had punched me to the ground," he told the Advertiser.
The 38-year-old suffered injuries to his head and arm – but was left with a lingering resentment about lack of support from Transport for London (TfL.)
"The gate staff did literally nothing. Even when I was lying on the ground they didn't even come over, other passengers did.
"They were great. Station staff didn't want to know.
"Passengers called the police – not the station staff – who came quite promptly and took a full statement."
Stafford said he remembered what his assailant looked like and gave a description to the police as did other witnesses.
"I gather from later calls with the investigating officers that it was all caught on CCTV."
The experience on the Elizabeth line station means the family man will be more wary of using public transport in the capital.
"Unfortunately anytime I go to London the public transport is getting worse and worse. Constant crime, people jumping barriers and staff that don't care," he said.
"It was absolutely disgusting. Where was their humanity? I didn't even get a first aid box or anything."
Stafford believes the incident reinforces his view that “Sadiq Khan (mayor of London since 2016) has lost control of the city. This is lawless London."
London, he said, was "more and more unsafe. Our public transport used to be secure. Now, anyone can use and abuse it as people try to get to and from work."
A TfL spokesman posted on social media: "I’m really sorry to hear about what happened – that sounds very distressing, and I’m sorry the station staff didn’t provide the support you should have received. I hope you’re doing okay?"
The former Harthill resident said TfL's response "was bland, heartless, and very generic."