Doherty claims innocence over brawl

Pete Doherty claims he did not start a fight with an Italian photographer outside his hotel on Monday.

Despite an Italian newspaper blaming the Babyshambles singer for the incident in Rome, a representative for Doherty says witnesses saw the singer attacked with a camera. "Reports that the photographer might make an official complaint will certainly interest Pete's lawyers," the spokesman told the BBC.

Images of the blood-stained singer being dragged away from the brawl have been widely published throughout the British and Italian media.

The Evening Standard had earlier reported that the photographer was contemplating an official complaint to police after allegedly being hospitalised after the incident.