Russian Punch

A Russian billionaire owner of two British newspapers has punched a fellow guest in the face on a TV show - knocking him off his chair. Alexander Lebedev, owner of The Independent and the Evening Standard, floored ex-property developer baron Sergei Polonsky during a debate on Russia and the global financial crisis. A stunned audience watched as the former KGB agent, who made a fortune in banking, landed a right jab on Mr Polonsky's face. Mr Polonsky was knocked from his chair and tumbled off the back of the studio's elevated platform. The punch was thrown seconds after Mr Polonsky told other guests he wanted to "stick one in the mouth".

On his blog, Mr Lebedev justified the assault by saying Mr Polonsky had behaved in an aggressive, threatening manner throughout the debate.

"In a critical situation, there is no choice. I see no reason to be hit with the first shot. I neutralised him," he said.

Less than a year ago Mr Lebedev promised to expose wrongdoing in Russia and around the world. Mr Polonsky, who used to head the Mirax Group property firm, got up quickly and did not appear injured.

Adapted and edited from Sky News here.

So this is the behaviour of our so-called 'betters' the one's whose media empires pour out the daily drivel about everything under the sun. The Standard, some would say sub-standard, paper hit out loudly against rioters and the mindless violence. It seems their owner has good line in this himself. It also begs the question that if this is the public, televised behaviour of this individual, what on earth is he like behind closed doors? Does his 'neutralising' extend to those in his employ one wonders? Perhaps this is another example of the corrupting influence of power and money, all good reasons for getting rid of both.

SussexSocialist