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16:52 GMT, Monday, 21 July 2008 17:52 UK

John Lydon denies 'racist' attack

Kele Okereke and John Lydon

John Lydon has denied claims by Kele Okereke from Bloc Party that he was racially abused and attacked by a member of the Sex Pistols' entourage at a music festival in Barcelona.

Okereke claimed he had been attacked by several men after approaching Lydon backstage at the Summercase festival.

He said the 'unprovoked' attack left him with a split lip and bruises.

But Lydon has said: "I feel very sorry for a man that needs to lie about what was a perfect evening."

'Intimidating and aggressive'

Okereke has described how he was set upon after asking Lydon if he had considered reforming his former band, Public Image Ltd.

He said the punk singer became 'intimidating and aggressive', while someone in Lydon's group told him, “your problem is your black attitude”.

John Lydon

Okereke claims he was then attacked by three members of Lydon's crew who punched him in the face and head.

It is understood that Yannis Philippakis from Foals and Kaiser Chiefs' singer Ricky Wilson tried to intervene in the fight, which was eventually broken up by festival security.

It is claimed the fight was later reported to police in both Spain and the UK.

Philippakis referred to what happened at the Latitude festival on 20 July.

He told the crowd: "We were in Spain yesterday and I got into a fight with Johnny Rotten.

"I don't know why I'm telling you all this, but I was handcuffed and we nearly didn't make it."

Lydon has responded with a statement saying: "After the show, John Rotten and management remained behind to sign autographs, which we did for four solid hours without incident and had a great time talking to other Spanish bands.

Kele Okereke

"This seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands.

"The trouble was brought to us, resulting in those causing the trouble being physically removed by festival security.

"It's a shame that the wonderful world of the media is riddled with nonsense like this"

He added: "Grow up and learn to be a true man."

Bloc Party are about to kick off a tour in Japan and the US.



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