Montana election candidate charged with assault after allegedly 'body slamming' Guardian reporter

A republican election candidate has been charged with assault after allegedly “body slamming” a Guardian reporter and breaking his glasses.

Greg Gianforte, who is standing in a special congressional election in the US state of Montana, was charged with misdemeanour assault over yesterday’s altercation with the British reporter.

Ben Jacobs tweeted that Gianforte had “body-slammed” him and “broke my glasses”.

Gianforte claimed Mr Jacobs had provoked the incident by asking “badgering” questions, being aggressive and being at the campaign event without permission.

But witnesses and an audio recording appear to contradict Gianforte’s account.

On the tape a series of crashes can be heard. Gianforte is heard shouting: “I’m sick and tired of you guys” before telling Mr Jacobs to “get the hell out of here”.

Witness Alicia Acuna, of Fox News, was in the room with two colleagues when Mr Jacobs held a voice recorder under Gianforte’s face to ask a question.

She said: “At that point, Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him.”

Gianforte is fighting for a vacant seat in the House of Representatives.