MP hurt in parents' party assault

MP Adam Price is one of Plaid Cymru's best known figures

A prominent Welsh MP, Plaid Cymru's Adam Price, has been treated in hospital after being assaulted at his parents' 50th wedding anniversary.

He was carrying decorations on the way to the party in Worcester when he and another man were attacked by a gang.

The Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP, 40, who is often tipped as a future Plaid leader, received stitches to cuts in his face and suffered a black eye.

Five men have been arrested and bailed in connection with the attack.

The assault happened at about 1700 BST on Saturday.

He was very unfortunate and is now leaving the matter in the hands of the police Heledd Fychan, spokeswoman for Adam Price MP

His spokeswoman Heledd Fychan said he was attacked by four male youths and was left needing stitches to cuts to his face.

He was unable to attend the party as he was in hospital receiving treatment.

"A gang of youths set upon him randomly," she said.

"They had no idea who he was. It was an unprovoked, random attack and he then had to go to hospital and receive treatment for cuts to his face.

"He is a bit battered and bruised and he has a black eye. He was very unfortunate and is now leaving the matter in the hands of the police."

High profile

Mr Price is now recovering at home.

No weapons were used during the attack.

Mr Price, aged 40, has gained a high profile after campaigning on such issues as the links between former Prime Minister Tony Blair and the steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, which won him a parliamentary inquisitor of the year award in 2002 from the Spectator magazine.

He also tried to have Mr Blair impeached over the war in Iraq.

In 2005 he was ordered out of the Commons for claiming the then PM had "misled" Parliament over the Iraq conflict.

In the same year, The Wales Yearbook named Mr Price campaigner of the year.

Mr Price was elected in 2001, and he speaks for his party on Treasury and trade and industry affairs.