Before the conference began, reporters were warned that no questions on that aspect of the Tyson visit would be tolerated.

I refused to go and was then grabbed by each arm, by two men, one on each arm and marched out of the hall

Forbes McFall

When McFall attempted to gain Tyson's impression of the row, he was grabbed by two security guards and forcibly escorted out of the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.

McFall asked Tyson: "Members of the Scottish Parliament and women's groups have objected to you fighting in Scotland because of your conviction for rape. What do you say to that?"

The reporter said there was a flurry of activity and added: "I didn't hear the reply and moments later I was approached by members of Tyson's security staff and asked to leave.

"I refused to go and was then grabbed by each arm by two men and marched out of the hall."

Forbes McFall: Forcibly ejected

McFall said: "I was surprised and shaken by the response of the security."

"I explained that I was an accredited reporter at the conference. They made it clear they did not want questions of that nature to be asked."

With Tyson and Saverese squaring up on the same platform for the first time ahead of the bout at Hampden Park, another media war was declared.

A spokesman for promoter Frank Warren's Sports Network company said he was preparing to take legal action against several newspapers over recent reports.

Warren was absent from the press conference was said to be "dealing with several legal matters".

However, newspapers have reported on a rift between Tyson and the promoter.

The spokesman said: "Sports Network is preparing to issue writs against the Daily Record and many other publications for false and libellous statements."