TV RACING tipster John McCririck has been questioned by police at York Racecourse after a female security guard complained he had assaulted her.

Jan Cole made the allegation to police yesterday, claiming she had been pushed through a fire door in the Knavesmire Stand by 61-year-old Mr McCririck.

But the Channel 4 presenter, who voluntarily gave a statement to police, insisted he did nothing wrong.

According to Constant Security Services, the firm for which Mrs Cole works, Mr McCririck was trying to gain access to a private box at the course when the incident happened.

Mrs Cole, 55, from Doncaster, was not injured in the incident, which happened on the third and final day of the Ebor meeting.

Michael Lee, director of Constant Security Services, the South Yorkshire firm which provides York Racecourse with security, said: "Around 12.30pm John McCririck went to some private boxes, but he had no authorisation to be there.

"Our security officer, Jan Cole, stopped him and said he had to have the right badges, whereupon he pushed her through a fire door.

"She was not seriously injured but she said she could not be treated that way and made a complaint.

"He was interviewed and made a statement."

Mr McCririck said that he had no idea why the woman had made a complaint. "Nothing untoward occurred.

"I haven't seen her statement at all and I don't know what is in it. I made a statement to the police on the incident, as I saw it, but I have no idea what she has said.

"I haven't done anything at all but, if the lady is at all upset, then of course I apologise to her, and to the police."

James Brennan, speaking on behalf of the racecourse, confirmed that an incident had taken place and said the matter was now in the hands of the police.

PC Paul Maloney, who was dealing with the incident, said: "At 12.30pm a 55-year-old female member of the security staff at York Racecourse made a complaint of assault to the police.

"A 61-year-old man voluntarily came to the Racecourse police office and he was interviewed. A file will be prepared and forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service."

Updated: 10:46 Friday, August 24, 2001