Is John Lydon Racist?

John Lydon, who's perhaps better known as Johnny Rotten, has been called many unpleasant things, but now Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke is accusing Lydon of an unprovoked racist attack on him. But Lydon says Okereke caused the incident and is just jealous of his success.

Okereke says he was socializing backstage at the Summercase Festival in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday when he asked Lydon about the possibility of his post-Sex Pistols band, Public Image Ltd., reuniting. In a statement, Okereke said Lydon then "became intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade including the statement, 'Your problem is your black attitude.'" Okereke was born in Liverpool, England to Nigerian immigrants.

At some point, a fight broke out between Okereke and three of Lydon's associates, which Okereke says was an unprovoked attack on him. Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis and Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson became involved after they stepped in, apparently to help Okereke. Philippakis was arrested after the fight, which took place before Foals' performance at the festival.

"So we were in Spain yesterday and I got into a fight with Johnny Rotten," Philippakis said on Sunday while on stage at the Latitude Festival in Southwold, England. "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I was handcuffed and we nearly didn't make it."

Okereke says he suffered a split lip and facial bruises and cuts during the fray and told both Spanish and British police about the incident. But he's more upset over what he says Lydon said to him.

"It's not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack," Okereke said in his statement. "It is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily.

"Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialize with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes. I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot."

Lydon claims Okereke is lying. He says he had been backstage with his management signing autographs for "four solid hours without incident," which "seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands.

"We are in the middle of a wonderful tour, after 30 years we are achieving a true unity in our audience," Lydon said in a statement. "They are multi-varied, all ages, races, creeds and colours.

"When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow. If they need publicity so badly this is the allegation universe they run into."

Lydon also provided Okereke with some advice, saying the singer should "grow up and learn to be a true man.

"When you have achieved as much as I have, come back and talk to me," Lydon said. "It's a shame that the wonderful world of the media is riddled with nonsense like this."

Lydon's always been known for his controversial behaviour and remarks, but he's been making headlines a lot lately. He made Welsh soul singer Duffy cry at last month's Mojo magazine Honours List Awards in England. He was also sued earlier last month by a former television executive who claimed he punched her in the face after calling her a "bitch," "cunt" and "whore."