LEE Anderson, the deputy chair of the Conservative party, challenged Game of Thrones star Rose Leslie’s dad to a fight amid a row over the expulsion of an MP from the party, according to reports.
PA reported that Anderson had engaged in an "aggressive" confrontation with Andrew Bridgen – who was kicked out of the Tory Party on Wednesday – and former Conservative councillor Sebastian Leslie at Westminster.
Bridgen and his guest Leslie were having lunch in Portcullis House after it emerged Bridgen had been kicked out of the Tories for comparing coronavirus vaccines to the Holocaust.
READ MORE: Tories dismissed complaints on Lee Anderson's far-right links before making him chair
Giving accounts to the PA news agency, they said they became embroiled in the argument with Anderson after seeing him having lunch with friends in the Adjournment restaurant.
Bridgen was angered by his expulsion being made public while he still has time to appeal against the decision.
Leslie, whose daughter Rose played Ygritte in Game Of Thrones, said he told the party deputy "Hold on Lee" because "he was being so bloody rude to Andrew".
"He turned to me and said, 'Hold on grandad, come outside and we'll sort it out'," Leslie continued.
As a chieftain of the Scottish clan Leslie, the 69-year-old asked Anderson whether he wanted to use "pistols or claymores", which he explained was a reference to ancient traditions of duelling.
"He was aggressive and out of control," Leslie, a grandfather-of-six, added. "It was very threatening and aggressive."
Leslie, who was suspended from the Tories in 2018 over council tax payments, said he did not plan to make a complaint despite believing the MP was "extremely rude" and "obviously bloody angry".
In turn, Anderson said Bridgen had been "rude and aggressive" as he lunched with two friends.
"I was having two lunch with two friends when a very angry looking Andrew Bridgen walked over with his friend," the MP for Ashfield said.
"Andrew spoke briefly to one of my guests who he knew but then turned his attention to me in a rude and aggressive manner.
"I literally had no idea what he was talking about and then both men left. After apologising to my guests for the outburst I then walked over to Mr Bridgen's table to express my disapproval."
Anderson has also challenged Steve Bray, the well-known anti-Brexit protester, to fight him in a boxing match.
“He’s a nuisance, and I’ve got a challenge for him”, Ashfield said. “Meet me in the boxing ring, let’s do three rounds, and if I win, he never protests out there again."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel