Attackers hit pro-surgeon rally

Many of the demonstrators at Walsgrave were Asian

Police are investigating an alleged racist attack on supporters of heart surgeon Dr Raj Mattu.

A group of around 15 largely Asian men were holding a protest at Coventry's Walsgrave Hospital when two white men in balaclavas shouted racist abuse.

They also threw eggs, hitting half a dozen of the protesters.

Wednesday's demonstration was aimed at lobbying the hospital's trust over the suspension of Dr Mattu, who has been off work on full pay since 2002.

The two men in their late teens attacked the protestors from the middle of the road.

One of the protestors, Ted Needham said it was an attempt to disrupt a peaceful protest.

He said "They started throwing eggs at us to see if they could dissuade us from supporting Dr Mattu.

The men threw eggs and racist abuse from the middle of the road

"I think it's outrageous, I think it's racism. You've got a bunch of cowards who are trying to humiliate people into backing down, and it's not going to work."

The cardiologist was suspended on full pay in 2002 over accusations that he bullied a junior colleague.

A disciplinary panel in May recommended Dr Mattu be given a first written warning, but University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust refused to reinstate him before holding another hearing.

This will not be held until the outcome of legal action that Dr Mattu is taking against the Trust alleging breach of contract.