Prescott issues statement over 'Rumble in Rhyl'

British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has this morning described his brawl with a farm protester as "frightening and regrettable".

In a statement, Mr Prescott says two women aides were knocked to the ground during the exchange of blows in Rhyl, North Wales, last night.

"I would like to explain what happened yesterday from my perspective in Rhyl. As I got off the bus I could see it was a potentially dangerous situation. I walked through the crowd, following the police through a very narrow pathway, and suddenly felt a blow to the side of my head - I did not know what it was.

"I responded to defend myself in this melee and I tried to get away as soon as possible from the incident. It was a frightening and regrettable incident, which involved two female assistants being knocked to the ground. I hope that we can get back to campaigning on the real issues in this election, with proper and open political debate with people, without any violence or intimidation."