Tony Blair has said that his Deputy Prime Minister regretted his involvement in a scuffle with protesters. John Prescott has issued a statement claiming that he was acting in self-defence. He punched a man who had pelted him with an egg. Mr Prescott said that the whole episode was frightening and regrettable.
The British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, said that Mr Prescott had been intimidated and reacted instinctively. Police arrested a 29-year-old man after the scuffle, which occurred in the town of Rhyl in North Wales where Mr Prescott had arrived for an election rally. Television pictures showed eggs being thrown at Mr Prescott at close range and the Deputy Prime Minister then punching a man in the face.
