Diplomat is left partially blind after being mugged in London cemetery

A senior British diplomat has been left partially blind by a mugging just a month before he was due to take up his post as Governor of Bermuda.

George Fergusson lost the sight in his left eye after he was assaulted and robbed while walking in Margravine Cemetery and Park in Hammersmith, west London, on Friday. The 56-year-old was taking a short cut to a friend's house and talking on his mobile telephone when he was attacked at about 7.30pm. A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with the attack last night.

Scotland Yard said Mr Fergusson, who works for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and lives in Lambeth, south London, suffered a serious facial injury in the attack. The FCO confirmed yesterday that the father of three, pictured right, had been partially blinded. A spokesman said: "He was taking a short-cut through the cemetery to a friend's house when he was assaulted. The plan is that he will take up his post, but it is really too early to say."

Mr Fergusson has served as Britain's High Commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa. He joined the FCO in 1991 and was due to become Governor next month.