In a melee Precott was hit by an egg thrown at him from behind by a protester.

He described the episode as "frightening" and said he wanted to get back to campaigning "without any violence or intimidation".

At the time it was admitted
"He regrets the whole incident ever happened. He felt a blow on the side of his head and reacted instinctively."

A blow thrown in 'self defence' does not make him a 'dockside bar fighter' any more than achieving a degree at Oxford as a 'mature student' makes him an 'ignoramus'

It is far too easy as the Jack Wheeler remarks quoted on another thread demonstrates to discredit politicians of any race, class or gender by thise sort of perjorative descriptions