A local election candidate says he was beaten over the head by a gang armed with a metal pole while he was out canvassing in east London.

Abdullah Al Mamun, a candidate for independent party Aspire in Tower Hamlets, claims he “thought he was going to die” when was set upon by “unseen assailants” on Friday evening.

The new party was founded by the borough’s disgraced former mayor Lutfur Rahman earlier this year.

Mr Al Mamum, who is running to become a councillor, says he was knocking on a door in Reardon Street, Wapping, at about 5pm when he was repeatedly struck over back of the head.

He was left with a major gash to his head that required 10 stitches.

Mr Al Mamum said: “I thought I was going to die. I felt that my head had split in two with the blood pouring out. I have been a dedicated community worker all my life.

“I entered politics so that I could continue to help people. I never dreamed that for my community work and public service I would be attacked.”

He claims to have previously been threatened by men who told him: “Don’t come around campaigning in our area otherwise we will sort you out.”

He added: “I call on all politicians and political parties to ask their supporters to behave respectfully and ethically.”

It comes at a tumultuous time for the borough’s politics amid a vote-rigging scandal, with 39 new allegations of corruption received by police in the run-up to next month’s local elections.

Detectives from the Special Enquiry Team, part of Scotland Yard’s Specialist Crime and Operations division, are currently investigating complaints of bribery, forgery and ballot tampering in Tower Hamlets.

Aspire Party Mayor Candidate Abul Monsur Ohid Ahmed said: “I am totally disgusted at the behaviour of these thugs. My heartfelt sympathies to Abdullah Al Monsur and his family.

“I will do everything I can to support him through these difficult times. These are such terrible times that political candidates cannot campaign in safety without fearing being attacked.”

A Met Police spokesman said: “We were called to Reardon House, Reardon Street, at 5.30pm on Friday following reports of an assault.

“Officers attended and a man in his thirties was found with a head injury. He was taken by London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital. No arrests have been made.”

Anyone with information concerning this attack is requested to call police on 101 quoting reference CAD 5813/6April or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.