David Selwood was arrested on Wednesday as part of a national paedophile investigation, the Department for Constitutional Affairs said.

He was interviewed by detectives over allegations of possessing indecent images of children and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Judge Selwood is the resident judge at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Judge Selwood, of Winchester, Hants, became a circuit judge in 1992 after a successful army career.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "Police can confirm that a man was arrested at an address in Winchester on 21 April in connection with a countrywide paedophile investigation.

"The man was interviewed at a police station in Hampshire and subsequently released on police bail pending further inquiries."