A FORMER Echo delivery boy who now campaigns against extremism has said he was racially attacked in the capital.

In a series of tweets, Mr Nawaz said a white male attacked him from behind outside the Soho Theatre.

He posted a photo of a cut to his forehead and said the man racially abused him and then hit him in the face with “maybe a signet ring”.

The attacker then ran away “like a coward”.

In one post, Mr Nawaz, who is from Westcliff, said: "Tonight I was racially attacked while alone outside Soho theatre from behind as I bent down to pick up my phone.

"The white male assailant called me a "f***ing p***" as he hit me in the face with maybe a signet ring and ran away like a coward.

"He took nothing. He was just a racist."

Mr Nawaz presents a show on LBC radio on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes.

The Metropolitan Police said they were called to a report of a racially aggravated assault in Dean Street at 7.10pm on Monday.

The suspect had fled the scene before officers arrived, no arrests have been made and an investigation has been launched, police said.

Mr Nazaz said: “My forehead will probably be scarred for life. But we will find you, you racist coward, and you will face British justice.”

In one tweet he said there were witnesses who heard the racial abuse, and they gave statements to the police – who “have his face of CCTV”.

Mr Nawaz is the founder of the Quilliam Foundation, a counter-extremism organisation.

In a lengthy post which followed, accompanied with pictures of his injuries, Mr Nawaz said his wound was glued up at hospital.

He took time to thank the two "lovely young witnesses" who called the police and waited with him to console him before they provided witness statements to the police.

He also thanks the police and first responders, as well as the nurses and doctors who treated him at the hospital with "diligence and care".

He then urged political factions not to use the incident to further their own agendas, adding: "People from all ethnicities and all faiths and none helped me.

"It's in that spirit I wish to carry on my work. I do not wish to harbour hate for my attacker.

"I've already been down that path at a younger age and I have seen how it leads to nothing good.

"Finally, I thank you all for asking after me. I’m sorry I cannot reply to each of you personally. It is time to rest."

He asked not to be contacted but offered thanks for the support.