British politician George Galloway was taken to hospital on Saturday for treatment to a broken jaw after he was attacked in London, The Telegraph quoted his spokesman as saying.

Galloway, who has reportedly suffered a suspected broken rib and severe bruising to his face, was taking pictures with some people in Golborne Road, Notting Hill, West London when a man yelled a comment about the Holocaust and then assaulted him, according to the spokesman.

His spokesman said: "George was posing for pictures with people and this guy just attacked him, leapt on him and started punching him.

"It appears to be connected with his comments about Israel because the guy was shouting about the Holocaust."

Police quickly reached the site of attack and arrested the culprit — who was later taken to the South London police station.

Galloway was shifted to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, where he will be staying overnight. The maverick politician described himself as being “in a pretty bad shape”.

The spokesman was unaware as to whether the attackers was an Israeli, an English Defence League-supporter or had some other motive for launching an attack on Galloway.