Tony Blair has rejected calls for the resignation of the deputy prime minister following Wednesday's scuffle between John Prescott and a protester.

The prime minister said he had spoken to Prescott who "regretted" the incident.

Blair said: "I have spoken to John Prescott last night and this morning. Of course he regrets the whole incident ever happened. He felt a blow on the side of his head and reacted instinctively. I think it is important in these next three weeks that we have a campaign in which there is a genuine dialogue and debate with people."

The prime minister said that the events on the campaign trail on Wednesday had been "lively", but called on the media to focus on real issues.

"It is important in these next three weeks that we have a campaign in which there is a genuine dialogue and debate with people. When I go round the country and talk to people there are real and serious issues in this campaign. It is those real, serious issues that should determine the future of the country," he said.

Under repeated questioning, Blair said that the skirmish had been regrettable. "Of course it would have been better if it had not happened, that it what John is saying."

But he said that Prescott remained a close ally. "You could not want for a deputy more loyal, true and decent than John," said Blair.

The Tory leader William Hague told the "Today" programme that Prescott should not have hit back.

"We are all in public life put in positions where people try to provoke us. It happens to most of us on the election campaign trail every day and we all have to learn to keep our cool," he said.

Prescott has also called on the media to focus attention to the issues. "I hope that we can get back to campaigning on the real issues inthis election, with proper and open political debate with people, without any violence or intimidation," he said.

The police is now investigating the affair, with the 29-year-old protester who instigated the event having been bailed without charge at 2.00am this morning. He is deciding whether or not to pursue a private prosecution against the deputy prime minister.