Deputy Prime Minister Mr John Prescott said tonight he regrets the incident in which he punched an egg-throwing protester.
But the deputy prime minister added politicians should not be subjected to the kind of protest he faced from Mr Craig Evans in Rhyl, North Wales yesterday.
The Hull MP says he wants to engage in public debate with people during election campaigns.
Mr Prescott added: "Open debate is the very essence of my political life.
"If I have to be surrounded by police and security in the future, so be it. But that would be unfortunate."
PA
