TORY Parliamentary candidate Tim Archer has admitted that a scuffle in which a woman was pushed to the ground by masked Conservatives during a visit to the East End by John Prescott was regrettable . The former Deputy Prime Minister was on a visit to C

TORY Parliamentary candidate Tim Archer has admitted that a scuffle in which a woman was pushed to the ground by masked Conservatives during a visit to the East End by John Prescott was "regrettable".

The former Deputy Prime Minister was on a visit to Chrisp Street Market, campaigning with Labour's Jim Fitzpatrick and surrounded by supporters when three hecklers wearing masks, suddenly appeared.

The men, believed to be members of the Tower Hamlets Conservatives, started shoving people out the way and one woman, believed to be Labour council candidate Crissy Townsend was pushed to the ground.

Police arrived and confirmed they had arrested East India and Lansbury council candidate Martin Coxall.

"I am not particularly pleased," said Tim Archer, who was campaigning elsewhere when the incident happened. "This was not an organised protest and I am not particularly pleased to hear that two of our candidates were involved."

Tower Hamlets Tory leader, Peter Golds added: "These things happen in elections. "You have to expect these sorts of things.