SATURDAY, APR. 21 (UPDATE APR. 23): A 29-year-old man has been arrested for attacking Bermuda’s new governor George Fergusson and leaving him blind in one eye.
Mr Fergusson, 56, was mugged on Friday evening while walking in Margravine Cemetery and Park in Hammersmith, West London at 7:30pm UK time.
He was running late to a dinner party and was checking the address on his BlackBerry when he was attacked, according to reports.
He lost a small amount of cash in the robbery and lost sight in his left eye after the attack.
According to www.bbc.co.uk, a man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of robbery and is in custody at a west London police station.
Mr Fergusson is due to take up his new role in Bermuda on May 1.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Mr Fergusson had surgery on his left eye Saturday but it couldn’t be saved.
He has since left hospital and will continue to receive treatment for his eye.
Mr Fergusson also suffered facial fractures.
In a statement from Government House yesterday, Mr Fergusson said: “What has happened has been a shock, but I’m concentrating on recovering quickly and looking forward to taking up my new role and, all being well, expecting to arrive in May.”
Mr Fergusson has previously served as Governor of the Pitcairn Islands and as high commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa.