A celebrity solicitor nicknamed "Mr Loophole" was arrested yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Nick Freeman, who has built up a hugely successful business defending clients in road traffic cases, was arrested in Manchester and his offices raided yesterday as part of an investigation by Gwent Police in Wales. He was released on bail last night, PA reports.

Today, shortly after 11am, Mr Freeman made a statement to waiting journalists outside his £2.5 million gated mansion in Mere, Cheshire.

Looking tanned and wearing a blue suit, he posed for pictures then said: "At this stage I can’t go into any details at all in relation to these allegations, other than to say I am totally innocent of the allegations made against me. I can’t really expand on it any more. I hope you understand."

Mr Freeman declined to answer questions on whether he will be defending himself or if the allegations related to motoring matters.

Gwent Police said: "A 45-year-old man and a 49-year-old man both from the Manchester area have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

"The arrests have been made in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation carried out by Gwent Police. The men were being questioned by Gwent Police yesterday and have been released on police bail pending further inquiries."

Last night a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said Mr Freeman was held at "the behest of Gwent police".

Mr Freeman persuaded a court to let David Beckham off a speeding ban because he was escaping paparazzi photographers and has become the lawyer of choice for celebrities facing road traffic cases.

His other successes include convincing a court, with medical evidence, that the snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan had psychological reasons for refusing to give a urine sample on demand and that Sir Alex Ferguson should be excused for driving on a motorway hard shoulder because he was desperate for the toilet.

In a rare defeat for the lawyer, the model Caprice was banned from driving for 12 months in August after she admitted being drunk behind the wheel of her Mercedes.

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