A LABOUR MP involved in a curry house brawl in which a diner was left with a shattered jaw claimed yesterday the incident was a case of "handbags at five paces".

Ronnie Campbell, the Labour MP for Blyth Valley, Northumberland, has denied allegations that he launched an unprovoked assault on a fellow diner.

The former miner has been questioned by Northumbria Police in the company of his solicitor following an allegation by unemployed plasterer Graeme Gillespie, 33, that he was punched by the MP in the Pan Ahar curry house, Blyth, in June.

But Mr Campbell said he would strongly deny any suggestion that he assaulted Mr Gillespie, and claimed he had been trying to calm the disturbance.

Mr Gillespie, a father-of-three, claims he suffered a shattered cheekbone following the alleged punch by the MP.

Mr Campbell said: "I have not been charged with anything, and I have to go back to see the police next month.

"I am not worried about the situation because, as far as I am concerned, it was handbags at five paces and has been blown out of all proportion. I did not assault anyone and I was trying to stop a fight."

Mr Gillespie, of Newsham, Blyth, said he was in the restaurant with a female friend who got involved in a verbal altercation with Mr Campbell.

He said: "Then a big row just broke out between the two and I was left in the middle. I didn't want trouble, but I was left looking like the Elephant Man after I was hit once and my face swelled up."

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "Inquiries are ongoing into an incident and no one has been charged at this stage."