Paul Whitehouse allegedly mugged at cashpoint in Islington
The comedian’s wife said he was targeted while collecting medication for her and recovered his bank card.
Comedian Paul Whitehouse was allegedly mugged at a cashpoint in Islington, London, while collecting medication for his wife, Dr Mine Conkbayir. She said the incident happened on Friday, after she had a bad reaction to treatment.
Conkbayir said on Instagram that Whitehouse fought back and recovered his bank card, while the person who targeted him left empty-handed. The BBC reported that the cash machine was behind a Sainsbury’s in Islington.
She described it as a “horrid start to the weekend” and said Whitehouse agreed to her sharing what happened to encourage people to be aware when out and about. She also urged people to be “super vigilant”.
What is known about the incident
Conkbayir said Whitehouse had gone to collect medication for her after she experienced a bad reaction to treatment. Her account says he was targeted at the cashpoint and retrieved his card after fighting back. The sources do not say whether any money or other property was taken.
Whitehouse, 68, is known for The Fast Show and for presenting BBC series Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing with Bob Mortimer. He and Conkbayir also host the podcast I’m ADHD! No You’re Not.
Has police action been announced?
No police statement or information about an investigation has been announced. The accounts of the incident in the published coverage are based on Conkbayir’s social media post.
Earlier this year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said investment in police numbers had helped reduce personal robbery by 50 per cent and personal theft by 25 per cent. He said he was “not complacent” and that further progress was needed. Those figures were given as citywide statistics and do not describe this incident.
This report draws on information from The Independent and BBC News.
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