An MP in France's governing party has been charged over a violent clash that left a rival Socialist politician in hospital.

M'jid El Guerrab was accused of twice striking Boris Faure with his motorbike helmet during the altercation at a bar in Paris on Wednesday.

Mr Faure had to have emergency surgery and spent five days recovering in intensive care following the fracas, local media reported.

The outburst came after a long history of conflict between the two men, following Mr El Guerrab's defection from the Socialists to En Marche! - French President Emmanuel Macron's party.

Both accuse each other of being the aggressor, but one source close to the case claimed Mr Faure called his opponent a "dirty Arab".


Mr El Guerrab is his party's MP for French nationals living in North and West Africa.

He has since announced a leave of absence from En Marche! and said through his lawyer that he regrets "succumbing to the provocation".

Mr El Guerrab has also been subject to judicial controls, including a ban on contacting Mr Faure.

The injured politician's family said it was outraged by allegations of racism, commenting: "We will undertake all legal steps to re-establish Mr Faure as the victim."