Ex-MP cautioned in assault claim

Rod Richards leaving Fairwater police station, Cardiff

Former Welsh office minister Rod Richards has been cautioned by police after being arrested over an alleged assault on a Conservative party worker.

The ex-Tory MP for Clwyd West later described the "clip around the ear" as an "altercation" which rated as "pretty close to zero" on a scale of one to 10.

He had been held overnight in custody at Cardiff's Fairwater police station.

A Welsh Conservative spokesman said a party worker had been "shaken" after the incident while out canvassing.

He said he had then reported the incident to police.

South Wales Police said a 61-year-old man had been cautioned for common assault and had been released.

Mr Richards told the BBC that last night's incident was an "altercation" in which he gave a party worker a "clip behind the ear".

He described the worker as half his age and twice his size but said on a scale of one to 10, the incident was "pretty close to zero."

Mr Richards said he had had very little sleep and now wanted to let the matter rest.

A Welsh Conservative party spokesman said: "One of our guys was assaulted and contacted the police."

He said the canvasser was not badly hurt and "shaken by the experience of it more than anything else".