Man bailed after Prescott fracas
A man arrested following a violent confrontation with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
The 29-year-old man from Denbigh, north Wales, was arrested on suspicion of assault after the fracas at a Labour Party rally.
Mr Prescott apparently lashed out after being pelted with an egg as he was jostled by an angry crowd outside a theatre in Rhyl yesterday.
Television pictures showed him turning to his left and apparently punching a man on the chin. The man then lunged towards the Deputy Prime Minister, trapping him against a wall.
Mr Prescott said: ‘‘I arrived in Rhyl this evening for the meeting. I got off my bus into clearly a hostile crowd.
‘‘I walked through all the jostling and I was attacked by an individual.
‘‘In the melee that followed I clearly defended myself. I believe that someone is now being questioned by the police and it would be quite improper and quite wrong to add any further comment.’’
A Labour Party spokesman said Mr Prescott had defended himself against attack ‘‘as anybody would in the circumstances’’.
But the local Conservative parliamentary candidate, Brendan Murphy, called on Mr Prescott to resign.
Meanwhile, a senior Labour Party source said: ‘‘We have got serious, serious legal advice surrounding the circumstances of this event and we are confident our statement is right.’’
The Deputy Prime Minister was heckled from the minute he stepped off the Prescott Express battle bus.
At least two eggs were thrown at Mr Prescott as he walked towards the Little Theatre in the seaside town.
He was trapped against a narrow wall as party supporters freed him from the protesters.
With egg splattered on his jacket, Mr Prescott was led safely into the theatre by police.
More than 30 protesters, many with placards, earlier congregated outside the theatre.
One poster bore the slogan ‘‘Average farming wage in Wales £75 a week’’ while others declared support for hunting.
A convoy of demonstrators led by last year’s fuel protest leader, Brynle Williams, later drove past the Rhyl Theatre where the Labour Party rally was taking place.
The North Wales farmer’s Range Rover was followed by about 100 lorries, cars and tractors all hooting their horns to the delight of demonstrators outside the theatre.
The crowds outside the theatre grew later as fuel protesters, including Mr Williams, joined the demonstration.
Mr Williams, who arrived after the melee, said he did not condone the violence, which broke out in front of the hall.
Mr Murphy, Conservative candidate for the Vale of Clwyd, which includes the town of Rhyl, called on the Deputy Prime Minister to resign.
Speaking outside the Little Theatre, Mr Murphy said: ‘‘He’s just got to resign and get it over with. What sort of role model is he for young people? We don’t want that kind of role model in Rhyl.’’
Earlier, Assistant Chief Constable of North Wales Police Clive Wolfendale said no allegation had been ‘‘made against Mr Prescott at the moment’’.
‘‘If anyone witnessed this incident please contact the CID at Rhyl police station. We will treat the evidence given to us as any other case.’’
