A STUDENT called the police after he was sworn at during a dinner for influential Christians.

Matthew Tye, 22, a masters student at Jesuit college Campion Hall, claimed he was called a four-letter word 23 times during a ‘rant’ from Peter Jennings.

Mr Jennings, spokesman for Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the new Archbishop of Westminster, admitted launching the tirade at the Aquinas Institute in St Giles on Thursday.

He said he had apologised to Mr Tye, and added: “I deeply regret this incident and any embarrassment caused.

“I may have called him a rude word, but only once or twice.”

Mr Tye called Thames Valley Police after the incident but was told it was not a criminal matter.

He said Mr Jennings launched a “torrent of verbal abuse” at him as other diners, who included prominent religious figures, enjoyed cheese and biscuits at the post-lecture meal.

He said: “I was sat down and he came over to me. It was completely unprovoked.

“It was quite a rant.”

The row is believed to have started after Mr Tye allegedly suggested, within earshot of other guests, that Mr Jennings had been dismissed as a spokesman for the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory.

Tonight, Mr Jennings confirmed he no longer worked for the Oratory, but declined to discuss this.