The Next generation of little no-nonsense tough-uns from Ulster

antrim | crime and justice | other press Wednesday June 29, 2005 11:03 by nordie

"I gave this man to them on a plate but it was like they didn't have any cutlery"

One of Ulster's youngest political faces last night told of his anger after he chased a thug who had punched him into a London police station - where officers failed to arrest him.

Rodney McCune (28), who ran against Ian Paisley in North Antrim in the recent General Election, chased his assailant through a London restaurant to a police station - but the thug escaped when officers failed to assist the Ulsterman.

"I gave this man to them on a plate but it was as though they didn't have any cutlery. It was unbelievable," said Mr McCune.

The drama unfolded when Mr McCune was approached by a man as he walked along Chancery Lane in the city with Bangor man Aaron McCallister recently.

"The guy mumbled something to us then he punched me above the ear. He then stood there with his fists clenched, so I asked Aaron to ring the police," Mr McCune continued.

"The guy then started to run - he went through a restaurant where he told the people I was threatening him to try and get them to stop me. We chased him for about 25 minutes and during all of this, Aaron was on the phone to the police."

The two men were able to catch the attacker as they chased him towards a police station.

"We told the police we were there and to send someone out, but they said we had to wait for the car, so I sat the man down in the waiting room until the car pulled up outside.

"I was telling the officer to come in and get him, but he sat on the bonnet. I then had to go half-way out to try and get him to come in, but as I did this the guy was able to run off," continued Mr McCune.

"The officer took me out in the car but we were unable to find him again."

Police also told him that the record button had not been pressed on CCTV equipment in the station.

Mr McCune is now demanding a full investigation into the incident.

"I am determined to ensure something happens about this, I'm furious with the police response," he said.

"Even when I told them I had been assaulted, the police said that as it was an unprovoked assault, I probably wouldn't hear from them.

"But how many people think it is acceptable not to pursue someone who goes about punching other people on the street?"

Shadow home secretary David Davis condemned the incident, describing it as "a shocking indictment of how over-burdened our police have become".

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed the police had received an allegation of assault. "The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident and the issues raised by the victim," said the spokesperson.

"The investigation is continuing but there are no arrests at present.

"No complaint has been received about the incident at this time."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=650463