Ken Paxton has been accused of lunging at an American tourist and attempting to take his phone after the man filmed the Texas attorney general walking with Tracy Duhon on Westminster Bridge in London.
The alleged confrontation took place near the London Eye on 1 July, according to the tourist, who said he reported it to the Metropolitan Police. He and his wife have asked not to be named.
The couple said the man recognised Paxton, 63, while they were sightseeing and recorded an 18-second video. Paxton and Duhon were travelling through Europe and had reportedly been seen together in Iceland days earlier.
The tourist said he walked away after filming, but then felt a bump against his left shoulder. When he looked round, he alleged, Paxton was standing beside him.
“Were you filming me back there?” Paxton allegedly demanded, according to the tourist.
The man said he confirmed that he had been filming and told Paxton: “I can absolutely film you. You’re a public figure in a public place, and I can film you all I want.”
He alleged that Paxton then demanded to see the footage and lunged for his phone. The tourist said Paxton made a second attempt to take it while shouting for him to hand it over.
“He’s yelling at me, and I’m telling him to back off,” the tourist said. “He lunged at the phone a second time and tried to force it from me.”
His wife said she realised he was in difficulty and ran towards the pair. After hearing him call for her to record the incident, she took out her own phone.
She alleged that Paxton appeared to reconsider his actions when he saw her preparing to film. The couple said he then walked away. Duhon was not present during the alleged confrontation.
No punches were thrown and the tourist was not injured, according to the couple. His wife nevertheless said the alleged incident amounted to an attempt to intimidate and physically threaten him.
Paxton’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations. The couple said they had decided against pursuing criminal charges for now because they feared their identities could become known.
Paxton is running against Democrat James Talarico in a closely fought Texas Senate race. He has the support of President Donald Trump, and the contest could determine whether Republicans retain control.
The allegations come amid renewed attention on Paxton’s relationship with Duhon, 58. The pair have not denied the affair; Duhon divorced her husband in 2025, while Paxton is separated but remains legally married.
Paxton was impeached by Texas lawmakers in 2023 and later acquitted. He has also previously faced accusations of fraud and corruption, though he has never been convicted.
The couple said they had waited months before speaking publicly and chose to give an anonymous account because early voting in Texas is due to begin on 19 October.
