Coventry councillor David Kershaw assaulted after cuts proposal

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30242572

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A Coventry city councillor has been assaulted after he proposed transport cuts for disabled children.

David Kershaw was pushed over in an attack by three men as he walked through a Coventry car park on Thursday.

He said the attackers threatened to "batter" him until he knew "what it's like to be disabled".

Mr Kershaw, who said he was shaken but unharmed, asked police to investigate and check CCTV footage.

'Not the truth'

The cabinet member for education at the council described the attack, saying: "In their abusive language they did say, 'we're going to batter you so you know what it's like to be disabled. Then you'll know what it's like to take free bus passes off little kids'.

"Now that hurt, because it's not the truth."

The attack happened at about 11:30 GMT as Mr Kershaw was walking out of Coventry Magistrates' Court car park.

He said his attackers were men in their 40s, who swore and verbally abused him for several minutes before two of them pushed him to the ground. They then all ran off.

Proposed cuts

West Midlands Police said an investigation had been launched, and a full statement would be taken from Mr Kershaw.

Earlier this week his department at the council announced a proposal to cut some free transport for children with special needs and disabilities, to save about £420,000.

The city council is consulting on the idea to change the eligibility criteria for children who get free buses or taxis to and from school.

Mr Kershaw said he would not be intimidated or change his ideas as a result of the incident.

The deputy leader of Coventry City Council, Councillor Phil Townsend, said it was a "deplorable assault on a much-loved councillor".