Police are investigating an early morning scuffle involving former Beatle Paul McCartney near U.S. magician David Blaine's starvation stunt at Tower Bridge in London, a police source says.
A photographer for the Evening Standardnewspaper said he was hit today after he tried to take a photograph of the multi-millionaire, who had gone to view Blaine on his attempt to spend 44 days without food suspended in a glass box by the River Thames.
McCartney's spokesman issued a statement confirming the 61-year-old musician had been to see Blaine, but made no reference to the photographer's claims.
The spokesman said McCartney had been on a "boy's night out" and had been walking along the River Thames after a meal with friends.
"Reports that this was a fracas...are highly exaggerated," he said.
Photographer Kevin Wheal told the Evening Standard he had approached McCartney to take a picture.
"Then his friends, who seemed more like minders to me, grabbed hold of me and pushed my camera towards the ground," he said. "One of them said: 'there's no way you're going to take a picture, mate.'"
Mr Wheal said McCartney pushed him in the chest with his open palm, swore at him and said: "It's a private visit."
A Scotland Yard spokesman said on Friday: "Shortly before 1 a.m. today, officers near the David Blaine stunt show became aware of a dispute between a group of friends, a photographer and other members of the public.
"Following the altercation we have received two counter-allegations of common assault."