Lydon 'clashes' with Pursey in US Embassy

Punk idol John Lydon became embroiled in a vicious brawl with music rival Jimmy Pursey in London's US Embassy, according to the Sham 69 frontman himself.

Punk idol John Lydon became embroiled in a vicious brawl with music rival Jimmy Pursey in London's US Embassy, according to the Sham 69 frontman himself.

Former Sex Pistol Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, was queuing for a US visa in the British capital, when he was spotted by Pursey.

Keen to put rivalry of the past few decades behind them, 50-year-old Pursey approached Lydon to shake his hand and was rudely rebuffed.

'If the kids are united' hitmaker Pursey said: "It was like a playground tiff. Johnny and I never got on, but I haven't seen the peroxide-haired moron for 25 years.

"I knew they'd be trouble when he swaggered in so I said, 'Let's put this rubbish behind us' and offered my hand.'"

Onlookers, included Scots pop duo The Proclaimers, saw Lydon shout: "F**k off!"

Pursey continued, "Next thing I knew, he'd thrown his coffee all over me."

Despite Pursey's claims, Lydon denies his bad behaviour, saying, "All the usual low-rent and lies. He's not fit to be in the same sentence as me. What do you expect from a low-rent fake 'mockney' (fake east Londoner) two-bob runt?"

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