Max Clifford Arrested over rape

Max Clifford, one of the UK's leading public relations experts, has been arrested by detectives investigating historic sex offences.

The BBC understands that Mr Clifford was arrested by Metropolitan Police officers working on Operation Yewtree.

Scotland Yard said officers had arrested a man in his 60s "on suspicion of sexual offences" and had taken him to a central London police station.

The arrest is not connected to allegations made against Jimmy Savile.

Max Clifford is one of the most influential figures in British media and the sixth person to be questioned as part of the operation.

The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Yewtree to investigate historic allegations of sex offences after revelations that the late Jimmy Savile had abused young people during his broadcasting career.

The operation has three strands.

One is looking specifically at the actions of Jimmy Savile and the second strand concerns allegations against "Savile and others". The separate third strand relates to alleged complaints against other people unconnected to the Jimmy Savile investigations.

Scotland Yard said that officers had arrested a man at 07:40 GMT at his home in Surrey and that the arrest was part of the last separate category of investigations.

Five people have now been arrested and a sixth questioned under Yewtree.

The four other people arrested are Freddie Starr, Gary Glitter, Wilfred De'Ath, a retired BBC producer, and radio broadcaster Dave Lee Travis. Police have also questioned under caution a man in his 80s.