Rape suspect speaks out

Nicholas Meikle, 29, a party organiser, said he welcomed the police investigation which he hoped would clear him over the "groundless" allegations.

Meikle, of Catford, south London, was arrested yesterday and questioned by Scotland Yard detectives.

They are investigating claims by a 17-year-old that she was gang-raped by a group of men, including several Premiership stars.

Meikle said she agreed to have sex with him, and others, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London.

After being questioned last night, Meikle released a statement through his solicitor, Mark Bowen.

Mr Bowen said: "Further to the News of the World article last Sunday concerning my client Nicholas Meikle, Mr Meikle voluntarily attended West End Central police station where he assisted police with their inquiries into an allegation of rape which allegedly took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on September 27.

"My client denies the allegation in its entirety and encourages the continued police investigation into this matter which he hopes will reveal the allegations against him to be groundless."

Meikle was bailed until later this month while police inquiries continue, Scotland Yard said.

The girl, a sixth-former at a Catholic school, has told police she agreed to have sex with one man and was then attacked by up to seven others, some of whom were allegedly Premiership footballers.

Meikle, who works for a public relations company, claims to have had consensual sex with her.

He claims she then consented to sex with one of his friends and two Premiership footballers from two different clubs and that at no stage was she raped.