Sir Christopher Evans: Arrest 'mind-boggling'

He said that he was "extremely shocked and dismayed" following his arrest in connection with the police inquiry into loans to the Labour Party.

"I voluntarily attended the police interview and have always been happy to provide the police with any information they have requested.

"There was nothing raised in the interview that caused me or my solicitor any concern or to think that I have done something wrong. I have done nothing wrong and have absolutely nothing to hide.

"I am willingly co-operating with this inquiry and fully respect the job the police officers are doing, although I am disappointed that the technicality of arrest was used in this situation. My solicitors felt it was unnecessary particularly since I had always indicated my willingness to co-operate fully.

"I am extremely frustrated to be placed in this situation as a result of what I believed to be a straightforward commercial loan to the Labour Party to assist them with their cash flow for the last election campaign.

"I never made a secret of the loan and if I had been asked at any time whether I had made a loan would have confirmed the fact. My record as a long-standing Labour donor and supporter was there for all to see.

"The reason I made the loan was precisely because I was not prepared to make such a substantial donation to the Labour Party. From the outset I made it clear that the money would be a commercial, interest-bearing loan which was to be repaid in full and that remains the case.

"Frankly, if I thought for one moment that I would be placed in this embarrassing and mind-boggling position I would not have made the loan.

"I am proud to have been honoured twice in the past by both Conservative and Labour Governments for my work in the medical biosciences sector. That is the only basis on which I would accept any honour."