A second cameraman went sprawling yesterday when covering a visit by Peter Mandelson, but this time the former minister was at least 5ft away.

Mr Mandelson instantly turned and joked: ''You see, I didn't touch him''.

The light-hearted comment came as Mr Mandelson presented the Third Division Manager of the Month award for January, to Hartlepool United manager Chris Turner.

It follows a story yesterday when Mr Mandelson was accused of manhandling a BBC cameraman at a Hartlepool church service.

Peter Thompson, 33, claimed he was shoved by the former minister and went sprawling backwards.

Mr Mandelson stared straight ahead before resuming the short walk to the church.

It was dismissed by a spokesman for Mr Mandelson as an accident during a media scrum.