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• Fifty-one-year-old has two fingers severed by sword
• MP and seven peers call for race to be cancelled again
Bernie Ecclestone's hopes of staging the Bahrain Grand Prix on 22 April are looking increasingly remote following reports of mounting violence in the Gulf kingdom as well as political opposition at home.
Bahrain is approaching the anniversary of the 14 February "Day of Rage" last year, when protesters took to the streets and attempted to oust the government. What has made an even greater impact on the 12 teams who are planning to go there is a report that a British man, Peter Morrissey, has been attacked and is recovering in hospital after having two fingers severed by a sword.
Morrissey, 51, reportedly lost his way while driving in the suburb of Karranah, in the north of the island, and was forced from his car before being attacked by masked youths. He also suffered broken ribs and bruises.
There has been no official response from either Ecclestone or the sports governing body, the FIA, yet. But as that news was being digested in Spain, where the Formula One drivers are testing before next month's season's opener in Australia, it was also reported that serious opposition to the event taking place was mounting in the UK. Seven peers, as well as Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP, have had a letter published in the Times calling for the race to be called off. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Lord Alton, Lord Avebury, Lord Hylton, Lord Boswell, Baroness Falkner of Margravine and Lucas all put their names to the protest.
The letter read: "We note with concern the decision by Formula One to go ahead with the race in Bahrain scheduled for April.
"The continued political crisis in Bahrain is a troubling source of instability in the Gulf region, and the lack of any move towards political reconciliation concerns those who wish to see Bahrain move in the direction of greater democratic accountability.
"It was hoped the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry would provide a starting point for political reform which both government and opposition forces could agree upon. However, two months on we see an entrenchment of the positions of both sides which risks letting more extreme voices dictate the progress of the conflict.
"Given the current dire situation, with daily street protests and the deaths of more civilians, we do not believe that the time is right for Formula One to return to Bahrain."
The staging of the race was always in doubt following the cancellation last year of what was supposed to be the season's opening grand prix and it was always foolhardy to schedule this race so early in the 2012 schedule. There has been growing violence in the town of Sitra, which was at the centre of last year's unrest. Police have had to use teargas to repel masked youths brandishing iron bars and petrol bombs as the battle for democratic reforms continues.
One protester said: People have no alternative — all we have is tyres to burn and Molotovs to throw. As long as the government is not ready to respond, anything is possible." When martial law was lifted last June 35 people had died, including four in police custody, and activists claim that another 25 have died since then. ends
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