The Ulster Unionist MP, Mr Ken Maginnis, was dragged by the hair and punched around a Chinese takeaway in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, during an attack by another customer last Saturday, writes Suzanne Breen.
The confrontation occurred last Saturday evening in the Jasmine House restaurant in Scotch Street. The manager of the takeaway, Mr Ho, said Mr Maginnis was waiting for his food when the attack happened. It is understood that he was jostled and verbally abused by another customer, a man in his early 20s.
Mr Ho said Mr Maginnis was punched and kicked in the head by his attacker. The restaurant's chef stopped the attack. Mr Maginnis suffered eye injuries and bruising to his face.
The MP is said to have told friends: "I can look after myself. When you have been targetted several times by terrorists, as I have, this sort of incident is nothing I cannot handle".
Police in Dungannon were investigating.