Ducking out: Mr Russell - wearing the wooly hat - is caught by the horse
The Liberal Democrat candidate for Barnet and Camden in the London Assembly elections will fight the rest of his campaign on crutches after he was trampled by a police horse during a pro-Tibet protest in Whitehall.
Nicholas Russell joined hundreds of other protesters as the Olympic torch passed through London on Sunday to speak out against the Chinese Government's reportedly repressive policies in Tibet and earned a fractured foot for his efforts.
Mr Russell said: "I guess it's my fault for not moving fast enough and one of the horses trod on my foot. A hairline fracture is trivial compared to what Tibetans have suffered over recent weeks."
Popular demonstrations by Tibetan nationals in the territory, which falls within China's borders, have been violently put down by police in recent weeks as China gears up to host the Olympic games.
Thirty-seven people were arrested during the course of the torch relay as the pro-Tibet protesters attempted to disrupt the ceremony and clashed with Chinese students.
"Generally the police were very civil," Mr Russell added. "Though they were clearly briefed to protect the Chinese and push back the British protesters, which seems odd."
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advertisement"The most depressing aspect of the day for me was the Labour Government's continuing preference for the authoritarian argument, not the liberal one."
Mr Russell's actions were applauded by his Conservative rival Brian Coleman.
Mr Coleman also said that Nicky Gavron, Labour's candidate for Barnet and Camden and current deputy mayor, "has blood on her hands" after she began the relay by handing the torch to Stephen Redgrave in Wembley stadium.
"I was disgusted beyond belief to see Nicky Gavron's hands on the Olympic torch. Has this woman got no shame? She's a Jew who must remember the treatment of Jews in Soviet Russia and what the Chinese are doing in Tibet is exactly the same.
"This is an evil, evil regime and we forget about all that as we suck up to them for business. Tens of thousands of Buddhists, Falung Gong practitioners and Roman Catholics remain in labour camps and Nicky Gavron owes them an explanation.
"I won't be shaking her hand again."
Mr Coleman has campaigned against the Chinese government consistently over the last eight years and spoken at numerous public events and protests.
He also advocates a full boycott of the Beijing Olympics but said that he did not attend the protest on Sunday in the fear that he would get arrested and damage his election campaign.
Ms Gavron said: "My participation was as the deputy mayor of the city which is hosting the next Olympics. I absolutely respect the right of people to protest."
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