London mayor Mr Ken Livingstone today fought for his political honour and denied manhandling his girlfriend or tussling with a man at a party.
Mr Livingstone, appearing before a special sitting of the Greater London Assembly, insisted he had not lied to assembly members about his account of incidents which happened at a birthday party last month.
He again denied claims that he had manhandled his pregnant girlfriend Emma Beal, tussled with fellow guest Robin Hedges (35) and fled the scene before police arrived.
Mr Hedges underwent a brain scan after plunging 15ft down a stairwell during the party.
The London mayor also defended his statement to the GLA last week, prompted by reports in London's Evening Standardnewspaper.
Mr Livingstone said the claim that he had manhandled his girlfriend was "the most distressing lie in the Evening Standardcampaign".
He referred to a statement by Ms Beal which said: "At no point did Ken and I scuffle, nor did he manhandle or frogmarch or abuse me at that time or any time in our relationship."
Mr Livingstone was called to explain his actions after using last week's Mayor's question time to make an unsolicited private statement denying reports that he had behaved badly.
PA