Sky News Reporter Grabbed By US Politician During Heated Exchange

A US politician grabbed a Sky News reporter as he tried to quiz him on the campaign trail.

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed put his hands on James Matthews’ shoulders as he told him he did not want to speak to a British broadcaster because there were “zero” votes in it for him.

The heated exchange came before El-Sayed pulled off a stunning victory to become the new senator of Michigan.

After Matthews approached him, El-Sayed said: “Are you registered to vote in Michigan? So why would I care to have a conversation with you?”

When Matthews told him he was a journalist, the would-be senator replied: “You’re a journalist in the UK. You know how many votes I want to get in the UK? Zero.

“I am never running for election in the UK, so I do not care what you think or the questions you ask.”

Matthews told him that “this election matters to the world”, but El-Sayed put his hands on his shoulders and asked “where are your viewers?”

He said: “Sky News is not viewed in the United States of America. It’s only viewed in the UK.”

When Matthews pointed out that the channel has “an international audience”, El-Sayed hit back: “I’ve answered all the questions that I care to answer for viewers in the United Kingdom. I’m going to ask you to stop chasing me around please, thank you.”

But Matthews told him: “I’m not chasing you round. I’m asking you questions.” 

The clash came shortly before El-Sayed defeated his Trump-backed Republican rival Mike Rogers to become the first ever Muslim US senator.

At his victory rally, he said: “You took a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates, you welcomed me in your homes, your churches, your synagogues.”

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