Released Nadir vows to take action for wrongful arrest

Former Polly Peck tycoon Asil Nadir was released from custody tonight and vowed to issue a writ for wrongful arrest.

The 69-year-old, who is on bail and faces a multimillion-pound theft trial next year, was arrested at his home this afternoon for allegedly breaching a midnight to 6am curfew that was part of his bail terms.

But tonight he emerged from Charing Cross police station in London without being charged and with a police apology.

Speaking on the police station steps, Nadir said: ``Unfortunately, I have been a victim of an unlawful arrest, claiming that I had broken my bail conditions.

“That was not the case.

“I have been released with an apology but I am hoping that this sort of unlawful behaviour, as I have claimed for many years, does not take place in this country.

“It’s such a great shame for this country.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed tonight that Nadir was released and said no further action would be taken.

Nadir, supported by his 26-year-old wife Nur and barrister William Clegg QC, went on: ``But anyway, I have been released with an apology.

“I was visited in the house by police officers and told I had broken my bail conditions.

“As you know, I have a twelve to six condition to be in my house.

“I was in my house with several witnesses, CCTV cameras in my house, and I have never broken this bail.

“But they said that I had broken it, which was not the case, but now we have been told the tagging machine and everything showed that I was in the house as I had said.

“We are taking, on Monday morning first thing, we are issuing a writ, taking proceedings against the people that have created this most unfortunate situation.”

The former Tory party donor, who lives in Mayfair, enjoyed a game of backgammon at home last night with his friend, Atai Kunter, the Cypriot industrialist said.

Mr Kunter, 59, who was staying at Nadir’s house, tonight attended the police station offering to be a witness for his best friend, he said.

Of his arrest, the defendant added: “Well, it’s a great shame, it shouldn’t happen.

“One’s freedom shouldn’t be attacked in this manner in this country.”

Nadir was originally charged with 66 offences of theft alleging a £34m fraud following the collapse of his Polly Peck empire.

He fled in 1993 to Northern Cyprus before the counts – put into fewer condensed charges – could be put to him at trial.

But on July 30 this year Mr Justice Bean was told he wanted to return to fight the case.

Upon arriving back in Britain in August with his wife, Nadir declared he had a “little injustice to sort out” and that he was confident he would clear his name.

Earlier this evening, a Serious Fraud Office spokesman said: “The SFO has been informed that a 69-year-old man has been arrested for a breach of his bail conditions.

“A custody officer is assessing the severity of the breach of bail.”