Father of suspect Brendan Nugent, 43, gives statement of support to Helen Haines; motive yet to be formally declared; lawmakers suggest gender-based violence to blame; suspect's anti-Israel posts surface online

Ricky Jefferies says he had just finished cutting hair when he grabbed and held the driver who allegedly deliberately struck the Indi MP

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The Australian prime minister has hailed him a hero for rushing out of his shop to help independent MP Helen Haines after she was allegedly run down in a deliberate attack – but barber Ricky Jefferies says he had “no choice” but to intervene.

Standing on Tuesday morning outside his shop, which is right next to Haines’ electorate office in Wangaratta, Jefferies was almost shy about the whole thing.

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© Photograph: Lauren Powell

© Photograph: Lauren Powell

© Photograph: Lauren Powell