Head of CRE arrested after row with police

The chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality was arrested for threatening behaviour during a row with a police officer after India's one-day victory over England at Lord's on Saturday.

Gurbux Singh, 51, allegedly stumbled into an officer from behind as a crowd left the cricket ground in north-west London but became aggressive despite attempts to calm him down. He was arrested for a public order offence along with his wife Siobhan, 40, who was held for obstructing police as she allegedly tried to intervene.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The officer spoke to the 51-year-old man but despite efforts by officers and those with the man to persuade him to calm himself, he behaved in a disorderly manner to those around him and to police officers."

The couple, who live in north London, were taken to Marylebone police station and bailed to return later this month.

Mr Singh a former chief executive of Hackney council and a member of the Home Secretary's race relations forum, confirmed he had been detained by police.

He said in a statement: "At the end of the match there was an incident that led to my wife and I being detained by police. We were both subsequently released without charge. I am awaiting confirmation from the police if the matter is to be pursued and therefore can't make any further comment."

Asked if the incident was a resignation matter, a CRE spokeswoman said last night: "We are not at that stage yet. He is waiting to see if he is going to be charged.''