Mandy nicked as 'flight risk 7

LORD Peter Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after baseless claims he was aiming to flee the country, say his lawyers.

- LIZZY BUCHAN and PATRICK HILL

Last night, Mandelson's legal team said he had agreed to attend an interview next month, but the Met Police hauled him in over fears he was a flight risk.

Mandelson, 72, who was held for nine hours then released on bail, has reportedly told friends since his arrest it was a complete fiction he planned to escaping to the British Virgin Islands.

His law firm Mishcon de Reya said: "Peter Mandelson was arrested yesterday despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis.

"The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad.

There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion. We have asked the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest.