Lawyer-to-the-stars Mr Loophole gets himself off

Nick Freeman, who earned the nickname for his success fighting cases for others, has been told he will not be charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice, his representative said.

Freeman was arrested in Manchester last October as part of an ongoing investigation carried out by Gwent Police.

Yesterday, before Mr Freeman was due to answer bail, Mr Freeman was told by the force he would not be charged, his representative David Simister said.

Speaking this morning, Mr Freeman said: "It is almost seven months ago that I stood at these very gates having been arrested for an allegation of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

"I said at the time that I was totally innocent of any wrongdoing and yesterday, at 4pm, that statement of fact was fully vindicated.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the case which was being investigated concerned a client I had never met, never spoken to, and did not defend in court.

"At the time of my arrest, I pointed out to the police that what had been argued by the barrister in court was not a defence in law and the defendant should not have been acquitted on that point.

"The last seven months have been physically, mentally and emotionally draining. Throughout this time, I have had to cope with a severe and unnecessary strain upon my life.

"Now I fully intend to resume my career and very much look forward to doing so."

Gwent Police said they were unable to comment on the case.

Mr Freeman and a 45-year-old man were arrested on October 30 by officers from Gwent Police, who also visited his law firm's city centre offices in Manchester.

He was released on bail pending further enquiries later that day, and the following morning told reporters outside his £2.5 million mansion in Mere, Cheshire, that he was "totally innocent".

The solicitor has helped a string of celebrities escape convictions for motoring offences.

His firm, Freeman & Co Solicitors, has represented Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, former England football captain David Beckham and snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Last August, Mr Freeman was unable to prevent model Caprice being banned from driving for 12 months after she admitted being drunk behind the wheel.

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "A 49-year-old man who was arrested in the Manchester area on October 31 2006 on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation being carried out by Gwent Police, has been released without charge.

"One 45-year-old man arrested at the same time last year, in connection with the same investigation, remains on police bail."

Speaking outside his home in Knutsford, Cheshire, Mr Freeman said Gwent Police had been investigating a motoring offence case handled by his legal firm.

But he explained: "As far as I'm concerned, it's over for me and, as I said, it was a case I had very little to do with.

"I advised on the paper and I prepared three sets of notes, and those were there from the very outset for anyone to see."

He said a barrister had conducted the case in court.

Mr Freeman said it would be inappropriate for him to comment further as a police investigation is still under way.