Media reports are coming through that Greens co-leader James Shaw has been hospitalised following an unprovoked attack near Parliament. A 47 year old man has been arrested.
From the Herald:
The Greens have requested has requested (sic) compassionate leave from the House today from the Speaker.
A spokesman for the Green Party said Shaw was punched in the face and suffered a black eye in the attack.
Shaw, who was walking to work from his Kelburn home, was attacked by the man who stepped out.
Luckily, two passersby stepped in after the attack. He continued on to work and attended a meeting before going (sic)
The spokesman said he then went to hospital for an assessment given he had received a blow to the head.
UPDATE: There is some confusion over the nature of the attack. The attacker apparently knew who James Shaw was, calling him by name, which suggests a political link. However, a spokesperson for Shaw said the attacker’s words during the assault didn’t appear to relate to Shaw’s political work.
Green MP Marama Davidson says Shaw is “shaken” and that “There is nothing at this stage that indicates that this attack had anything to do with his political work.”
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