British Lawmaker Hurt, Aide Slain in Sword Attack
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CHELTENHAM, England — A man with a sword killed a Liberal Democratic Party aide and injured a lawmaker Friday at their office, police said.
The aide, who was not immediately identified, reportedly was stabbed at least 10 times.
Liberal Democrat lawmaker Nigel Jones, 51, suffered cuts to his hands and arms and was taken to a hospital in Cheltenham, about 90 miles northwest of London. He was not seriously injured.
The party said that it knew of no motive for the attack and that Jones had not received any threats.
But local councilor Alexis Cassin, also a Liberal Democrat, said she understood that Jones had been dealing with a difficult case involving the alleged attacker, although she did not know the details of the case.
Cheltenham police refused to confirm the type of sword, but witnesses speaking to the British Broadcasting Corp. said it was similar to one used by a Japanese samurai warrior, though they did not elaborate. The witnesses also said the suspect “went crazy” in the lawmaker’s office before he was chased up the street, carrying the weapon.
Police would give no details about the attack but said a 49-year-old local man was arrested near the party’s headquarters for questioning.
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