Tebbit could be charged over 'dragon kicking'

Lord Tebbit: police confirmed today they received a complaint about his behaviour (GETTY IMAGES)

Tory peer Lord Tebbit could face prosecution over claims that he kicked a person wearing a dragon costume during Chinese New Year celebrations.

The 78-year-old also grabbed a drum as he tried to stop noisy celebrations outside his home in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, last month.

Police confirmed today they received a complaint about his behaviour.

At the time, Lord Tebbit told the Daily Mirror that he heard a "dreadful noise" outside his home and was not aware that New Year celebrations were taking place.

He told the paper that he put his hands on a drum in an attempt to stop the noise.

"I got my knuckles rapped for my pains," he said.

"I then got jostled by a dragon. I have never been jostled by a dragon before.

"I gave it a shove, then got on my way."

Organiser Patrick Chung, a Tory councillor for the town, told the newspaper that Lord Tebbit kicked someone inside the dragon costume on the backside.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police said: "A 78-year-old man from Bury St Edmunds has been reported for consideration of prosecution for a public order offence, after a complaint was received about the conduct of a man in Hatter Street in Bury St Edmunds on the evening of Tuesday February 16.

"Inquiries are continuing into this incident."