Michael Barrymore wants £2.5million in damages after being arrested following the discovery of a body in his swimming pool. But cops say he should only get £1.
The entertainer is suing Essex Police after he was held and questioned when the body of butcher Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found in the pool at his house in Harlow, Essex in March 2001.
Former television presenter Barrymore was never charged with any offence as a result of his arrest.
He is now taking legal action against the authorities and a judge is expected to make a decision about any financial compensation during a High Court trial in London in the summer.
Lawyers representing former Celebrity Big Brother housemate Michael and Essex Police outlined the claims from both sides to a judge at a hearing yesterday.
Master Roger Eastman was told that Barrymore was arrested six years after the man’s body was found in June 2007.
The star claims that due to the publicity surrounding his arrest, it had a “devastating” effect on his career.
The £2.5million he is seeking is to compensate him for loss of earnings as a result.
But police insist he should only get a “nominal” amount of £1.
The judge will decided if there was “reasonable grounds” for the arrest.
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