the man that could have been pm

He fell on his own sword - why anyone would to comtemplate public life beats me.

Latham in alleged biffo

January 19, 2006

FORMER Labor leader Mark Latham is in hot water again, this time for allegedly throwing a punch at a photographer before stealing his camera.

The Daily Telegraph reports the former federal opposition leader and MP threw a punch at photographer Ross Schultz, injuring his wrist and then fleeing with the camera.

The incident happened at Campbelltown, in Sydney's southwest yesterday, as the newspaper prepared a story to mark the first anniversary of Mr Latham's political downfall.

Mr Latham emerged from a Hungry Jacks restaurant, where he had been having lunch with his two sons Oliver and Issac, the paper said.

Mr Schultz was waiting for the former opposition leader to leave the restaurant, but did not enter it.

He said Mr Latham started screaming obscenities and ripped the camera from his shoulder.

The former Labor leader then drove off in his car with the camera, which he is is believed to have smashed in the shed of his Glen Alpine home.

One witness to the attack has agreed to give evidence should Mr Schultz decide to press charges.

Mr Latham is no stranger to trouble.

In 2001 he broke the arm of a Sydney taxi driver after a night out.