Republican congressional candidate charged with misdemeanour assault of reporter over 'bodyslam' claim

A Republican running for Congress in Montana was charged with misdemeanour assault on Wednesday night after witnesses told police Greg Gianforte grabbed a reporter by the neck and slammed him to the ground the night before polls close in the nationally-watched election.

Brian Gootkin, sheriff of Gallatin County, made the announcement late on Wednesday in a statement posted to the county website.

Mr Gianforte would face a maximum $500 (£385) fine or six months in jail if convicted. The statement added that Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs's injuries did not meet the legal definition of felony assault.

The altercation between the Republican candidate and Jacobs allegedly took place at a campaign event at Mr Gianforte's headquarters in the city of Bozeman, Montana, the newspaper said.

He is running for the state's only congressional seat in a special election set for Thursday.

"Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses," Jacobs tweeted.

The attack allegedly took place after Jacobs asked a question about healthcare.

Jacobs posted audio of the incident in which Mr Gianforte appears to say "The last time you came in here you did the same thing. Get the hell out of here!"

Others at the event corroborated the version of events.

The Fox News crew watched in astonishment as, after Jacobs pressed him on the GOP health care bill, "Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him," Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna wrote in an article. She added that Mr Gianforte then began to punch Jacobs.

"Ben walked into a room where a local TV crew was set up for an interview with Gianforte," BuzzFeed reporter Alexis Levinson tweeted. "All of a sudden I heard a giant crash and saw Ben's feet fly in the air as he hit the floor."

Mr Gianforte's campaign issued a statement saying the incident took place when the candidate was giving a separate interview in a private office.

"The Guardian's Ben Jacobs entered the office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face, and began asking badgering questions," the statement said.

"Jacobs was asked to leave. After asking Jacobs to lower the recorder, Jacobs declined. Greg then attempted to grab the phone that was pushed in his face. Jacobs grabbed Greg's wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground.

"It's unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ."

On Jacobs's audio, Mr Gianforte is not heard asking him to lower his microphone.

When Jacobs asks for the names of those present, saying he will go to the police, he is told, "you gotta leave."

The Sheriff's office said that Gianforte was cited on Wednesday night. He has until June 7 to appear in court on the charge.

The incident is a last-minute curveball in Thursday's race, which was partly seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency. The majority of voters were expected to have already cast ballots through early voting, and it was unclear how much of an effect it may have.

Mr Gianforte and Democrat Rob Quist, who declined to comment, are seeking to fill the state's seat in the US house left vacant when Ryan Zinke resigned to join Donald Trump's cabinet as secretary of the interior department.

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