In handcuffs: Shannon's mother arrested over her daughter's kidnap amid fears of abduction 'stunt'

Karen Matthews, 32, was being held on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Her arrest is likely to fuel speculation that Shannon was kidnapped as part of a stunt to obtain money from the media.

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In handcuffs: Shannon's mother Karen Matthews is under arrest today in connection with her daughter's disappearance

West Yorkshire Police today confirmed a 32-year-old woman had been arrested in Dewsbury, the home town of the Matthews' family.

A few doors away, Mrs Matthews' cousin, Vicky Saunders, said the latest arrest had shocked the community.

Care-home worker Miss Saunders said she heard the news at 4am after she had finished working a night shift. It is understood that Mrs Matthews was arrested last night.

Miss Saunders said: "I was just shocked. I can't believe it myself."

"I was with Karen when Shannon first went missing, I went and helped, she was in a state."

Police refused to comment on the identity of the suspect and would only say she was being questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police investigating the alleged abduction of a nine-year-old girl have arrested a 32-year-old woman in Dewsbury on suspicion of perverting the course of justice."

Police reportedly swooped on Miss Matthews after a tip-off yesterday.

Last night it also emerged Donovan, who has been charged with Shannon's kidnap and imprisonment, slit his wrists while on remand at Leeds Prison.

The 39-year-old, formerly known as Paul Drake, of Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr, was arrested on March 14 after Shannon was found at his flat.

He is the uncle of Shannon's stepfather, Craig Meehan, 22.

Speaking outside her home, Petra Jamieson, 30, a friend and neighbour of Mrs Matthews, said she would support her "100 per cent".

She said: "She's my friend and all the support we have given her, I'll continue that support."

She added: "She's my best friend, I'm not going to let her down now when she needs a friend the most. "I've been there from the start and I'll be there until the end."

Miss Jamieson said Mrs Matthews' arrest had left the community feeling confused.

"Everyone's feeling probably exactly the same, crushed, all the news that's come out since Wednesday, everyone's had mixed emotions," she said.

"It's been an emotional rollercoaster, not just for me, but for everyone, especially the kids."

She continued: "We're all parents on this estate so we feel exactly the same. It just keeps getting worse and worse and worse, a nightmare, it just doesn't seem to be ending."

Yesterday it was reported that Shannon's mother was said to be heartbroken after her daughter told her: "I don't want to come home."

Karen Matthews received the devastating blow in her first conversation with the nine-year- old since Shannon vanished on February 19 following a school swimming trip.

Although she had seen her daughter through one-way glass following her rescue 24 days later, the three and a half hour meeting at a secret location was the first time they were reunited.

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Contented: Shannon has told her mother that she does not want to go home and prefers being with her foster family and playing with her new kitten

But when Miss Matthews asked if the youngster wanted to live "with Mummy", Shannon is said to have replied: "No. I don't want to come home."

After the meeting Shannon returned to her foster carers.

A close friend of Miss Matthews said yesterday: "She's inconsolable. She doesn't know what to do and feels totally isolated.

"She was so excited to see Shannon after everything, but now fears she may never see her again. She's heartbroken."

Shannon was found in a dingy flat in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, less than a mile from her home in Dewsbury.

Shannon's mother has been in hiding since last week, when her partner Craig Meehan, who is Michael Donovan's nephew, was charged with possessing child pornography.

Meehan, 22, is accused of having 130 indecent images of children on two computers seized by police shortly after Shannon went missing.

He and Shannon's mother have split up since his arrest.

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Michael Donovan leaves court after his arrest and, right, in a family photograph with Craig Meehan as a child

Meehan's mother Alice, 49, and sister, Amanda Hyett, 25, were arrested on Friday in connection with Shannon's disappearance and have been bailed until next month pending further enquiries.

Yesterday Miss Matthews's parents Gordon and June said police had contacted them after the secret reunion between Shannon and her mother.

June Matthews, 63, said: "They told us that during the meeting both Karen and Shannon seemed quite happy, but Karen broke down when it was time for Shannon to leave, and begged her to come home.

"They told us Shannon said: 'No, I've got a pussycat. I love my pussycat. It follows me round and sleeps in my bed'."

Shannon was given the kitten by detectives after her rescue.

June added: "That must have been devastating for Karen.

"But it is good news that Shannon is so happy. You don't want to go back where you are unhappy and Shannon hasn't been happy for a while."

Shannon's mother has been warned that it is not yet safe for her to go home.

Her mother said police told her Karen "was in a very fragile state" and "threatening to kill herself".

Police asked June and Gordon if they would take their daughter back in but they refused.

Miss Matthews, who has seven children by five different fathers, has since agreed to allow three of Shannon's siblings to be cared for by social services.