Page last updated at 13:09 GMT, Saturday, 28 June 2008 14:09 UK

Police quiz BB 'spit' housemate

Dennis McHugh
The dance teacher was questioned by Hertfordshire Police

Police have interviewed Dennis McHugh, the contestant ejected from Channel 4's Big Brother show for allegedly spitting in the face of a fellow housemate.

He was questioned under caution but no further action will be taken for now.

The 23-year-old has claimed he made a spitting action but insisted nothing came out of mouth during the argument which led to his removal.

Police will also speak to Mohamed Mohamed, at whom Dennis allegedly spat, "as and when he leaves the house".

"Officers have now spoken with a 23-year-old man from Edinburgh in connection with an alleged incident," a Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman said.

"He was spoken to under caution, and at this stage no further action has been taken.

"Officers will speak with the potential complainant as and when he leaves the house at some point in the future."

Dennis did not go to a police station and was not arrested, she added.

'Seriously offensive'

Channel 4 said on Friday that Dennis was removed from the Big Brother house for breaking the reality programme's rules.

Sylvia Barrie
Sylvia Barrie became the second housemate to be evicted by the public
His actions had been "seriously offensive" and had left Mohamed "understandably upset", a spokeswoman for the broadcaster said.

A row had erupted early on Friday involving several housemates following a prank played by contestant Rex Newmark.

It ended in a picture painted by Jennifer Clark being defaced.

Dennis was the second contestant in this ninth series of Big Brother to be removed.

Alexandra De-Gale suffered the same fate after allegedly threatening other housemates and saying her "gangster friends" would deal with those who got on the wrong side of her.

Friday saw the eviction of student Sylvia Barrie, who was up against Mohamed in the traditional weekly public vote.


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