Violence flared once more in the fierce election battle between George Galloway and Oona King when protesters tried to break into an East End rally last night.

Police wrestled three men to the ground when they stormed the doors of the Bethnal Green and Bow meeting.

One man was arrested for public order offences and is held at an east London police station.

Galloway had been warned to stay away from his home after allegedly receiving a death threat from Islamic extremists on Tuesday night. Up to 30 men shouted abuse at him as he was canvassing at the Osier council estate.

Yesterday King, criticised for her support of the war against Iraq, needed police protection from opponents. Last weekend her car tyres were slashed and she was pelted with eggs.

The east London communities' organization (Telco) hosted last night's meeting in the People's Palace at Queen Mary's University in Mile End Road. Members quizzed four election candidates, including King and Galloway.

Respect, Galloway's coalition of trade unions and anti-war groups, poses a real threat to Labour's 10,000 majority in the seat held by King.

Amid heavy police presence, both politicians appealed for a peaceful campaign.

"I utterly condemn any attacks on George Galloway, or any other politician, and indeed just the general atmosphere of intimidation," King said.

Every time she stood up to speak, the audience of mainly Muslim men booed her angrily.

"George and I have strong differences, but we don't want to be violent towards each other," she added. "And we have to lead by example."

Galloway agreed. "Can I take this opportunity to express to Oona King how sorry I am for what has happened in the campaign? I welcome her suggestion that we meet the police to see if we can take some tension out of it."

The two met with police today to discuss an agreement for a safer election.

"Candidates must keep a grip on their campaigners," King said today. "They should use words carefully for the rest of this campaign to avoid stirring up yob behaviour amongst impressionable people."

Last night loud cheers greeted Galloway as he spoke out against stop-and-searches in Tower Hamlets targeting Muslim youths. "When you make war on Muslims abroad you're going to end up making war on Muslims at home," he said.

King, however, was called a "liar" when she highlighted her opposition to the government's anti-terror laws. "I did not agree with it then, I do not agree with it now and I will never think that it is acceptable to have detention without trial."

The other two candidates drew little reaction apart from laughter when Conservatives' Shahagir Bakth Faruk remarked: "At least I have one supporter here."