UK spin doctor Alastair Campbell has published on his blog a statement denying that he "punched and spat" at a man while out jogging.
Mr Campbell, who was the chief communications aide to former Prime Minister Tony Blair, was accused by an anonymous man of the assault, according to the Daily Telegraph.
But Mr Campbell posted an entry to his blog insisting it was he who was assaulted and spat at.
He said: “I was walking down Perrin’s Lane last Monday after a run in Hampstead when a man walking towards me began shouting in abusive and aggressive terms as he approached. As I passed him I did not look at him, did not respond to his insults and put my my (sic) arm out to his shoulder to stop him coming any closer. If there was any contact at all it was minimal.
“I walked on a few steps, thought he was doing the same but he turned back, followed me, continued to abuse me and when I turned around he came towards me and aimed a kick at me which came into brief contact with my leg. He then moved back but came forward again and spat at me, most of the spit landing on my shirt, some on my face. I then turned and walked away.
UK political aide Alastair Campbell
“He continued to shout abuse as he walked in the other direction. I am confident that any full CCTV coverage of the incident would show all this to be the case.”
Read the full statement here.
CCTV footage posted to YouTube by London newspaper Ham&High appears to show Mr Campbell reaching out with an arm to make contact with a passing man, who then follows him out of the camera's view.
The anonymous man reported the incident to Bradford West Respect MP George Galloway instead of the police, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Mr Campbell took to Twitter to deny the accusation after Galloway commented on the incident.
Blair's poodle Ali Campbell involved in street spat with elderly man in Hampstead. Did he hit him? Exclusive film here shortly @TheBlairDoc— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) January 14, 2015
@georgegalloway no he didn't. But won't stop you and your poodle saying otherwise no doubt— Alastair Campbell (@campbellclaret) January 15, 2015
The unidentified man admitted swearing and making an abusive remark towards Mr Campbell, according to the Telegraph. The man said: “He then struck out and hit me on my left shoulder. I turned to confront him and said, ‘That is assault, you should be in prison, not running around the streets of London.’
"At which point spitting ensued and then I aimed a blow with my foot that did not connect. Nothing that I did was illegal and he had no right to punch me.”
The incident has not been reported to police by either man, a spokesman told the Telegraph.
