Morning:
14°c
England and Tottenham Hotspur footballer Jermain Defoe is suing the police, claiming he and other footballers are regularly pulled over when driving because they are black.
The striker, 26, was locked up by police in Harlow last month after being arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified.
He was held overnight until officers checked with the courts and realised they had made a mistake. Defoe's lawyer Nick Freeman said the player was suing Essex Police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment and damages would run to "several thousand pounds".
Mr Freeman said: "Race will be a strong element of our claim." He said Defoe would be donating any money received to an anti-racism charity.
Mr Freeman, who is known as Mr Loophole for his ability to help high-profile individuals be cleared of driving charges, added: "I asked Jermain if he feels there is a racist element involved. He said he discussed it with black colleagues and they have similar experiences. He asked his white colleagues and they didn't have similar experiences.
"Every time he is in his Range Rover he gets pulled over and he does not know why.
"Race will be a strong element of our claim when it is lodged within the next few weeks. He is a high-profile footballer and he is black - the combination of the two are obviously factors."
Mr Freeman said Defoe had received a letter of apology from the police two days after the arrest, but added: "We want a finding against the police because if you don't have that finding then this sort of thing will continue.
"It is not about money, it is about the principle. Any money he receives will be given to charity."
Mr Freeman said police could have checked on Google and seen press reports that his driving ban had been suspended while he appealed against his conviction for speeding.
Mr Freeman added: "They kept him locked in a cell for five hours. Why not bail him and make your enquiries? It's astonishing."
Defoe, from Cuffley, Hertfordshire, was arrested for driving while disqualified in July, shortly after receiving a driving ban. During his appeal he is still allowed behind the wheel.
Essex Police said a computer error meant it did not show up on the system that Defoe was allowed to drive.
A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: "Essex Police is conducting an investigation and is liaising with Mr Defoe's legal team.
"It would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time."
