Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews was reportedly arrested over a “private civil matter”, despite earlier claims he had been detained on suspicion of espionage in Dubai.
Reports emerged over the weekend that Andrews was being held in a Dubai prison after disappearing earlier this month, with his father initially claiming he had been arrested and detained.
On Wednesday, Price revealed she had finally spoken to him in a two-minute phone call from the Al Awir prison.
During the conversation, Andrews allegedly told the former glamour model authorities believed he was a spy.
“I told him how worried I had been and told him I loved him. It was very rushed, but he said the authorities out there thought he was a spy. I don't know much more than that right now,” Price told The Sun.
However, the publication now reports Andrews was actually detained over allegations linked to a private civil matter, with authorities reportedly confirming he was not being held on espionage charges.
It is understood Andrews was arrested on Wednesday, May 14, after allegedly keeping a deliberately low profile in the days beforehand.
He is now reportedly expected to pay a four-figure fine and could be released as early as Monday.
Speaking on The Katie Price Show podcast on Thursday, Price said Andrews had been shocked to discover he had become “the most hated man in prison” after his disappearance sparked widespread speculation online.
Despite the latest reports around his arrest, Price maintained that Andrews had told her he was being interrogated over espionage allegations.
“Lee has been found alive! I don't know the full update. All I know is they thought he was a spy so he's been interrogated,” she said. “I am happy as I didn't know where he had gone. He's been interrogated and had hoods on him. I need to find out when I can see him now. I only had a minute with him on the phone.”
Price also addressed rumours surrounding activity on Andrews’ phone while he was missing, after online users noticed another woman had apparently been followed from his account.
“I did ask him about the phone situation. He hasn't been on his phone - he's been interrogated and they've been on his phone. So they've been mucking around on his phone - it wasn't Lee,” she claimed.
She added that she had confronted him about reports he followed another woman online during his disappearance.
“What happened with the woman was she activated her account and she followed him or he followed her. But then she blocked him. They've never exchanged messages. But I did ask him 'apparently you've followed another woman!'”
Price went on to reveal she had told Andrews just how much backlash he had received while missing.
“Then I told him ‘you're the most hated man in Britain’ - and he wanted to know why,” she said. “I said everyone thinks you're a scammer and I said we'd talk about it all when you're out.”
The former glamour model said Andrews would now need to publicly explain what happened once he is released.
“He is going to have to explain it all. He needs to do an interview,” she said. “The public deserve it - everyone thinks he's a con artist. He needs to come on this podcast! He's had lots of hate but let's give him a chance to tell his story.”
The Foreign Office has so far declined to confirm whether Andrews is being held at Al Awir prison, but said consular officials are supporting the family.
An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man and are in contact with the local authorities.”
On Saturday, it was first reported that Andrews had been arrested and was being held in a Dubai prison, according to his father Peter.
He had reportedly vanished 11 days earlier after sending Price a video appearing to show him hooded with his hands tied, alongside claims he had been “bundled into a van” and taken to a so-called “black site” while attempting to travel to London to be with her.
The mother of five was said to have received a string of texts and voice notes from Andrews in which he claimed he had been kidnapped, according to the Daily Mail.
Price previously spoke of her distress after losing contact with Andrews, whom she married in January following a whirlwind week-long romance.
His family, who also said they had been unable to reach him, reportedly filed a missing persons report with the British embassy but consular staff in Dubai were reportedly been unable to find any trace of him.
The Dubai authorities were also said to have previously denied any knowledge of his whereabouts.
News of his whereabouts come after it was reported that Price was considering launching “an international manhunt” for Andrews.
Andrews has faced accusations he is a conman and Price's family have shared their fears about her whirlwind relationship with him in the past.
He has been branded a “liar and a narcissist” by two of his exes.
He has strenuously denied the conman claims along with allegations that he is unable to leave the UAE due to a travel ban.
Andrews was reportedly banned from leaving Dubai after allegedly spending three weeks in a UAE jail over claims he forged an ex-girlfriend’s signature to secure a £200,000 loan, according to the Daily Mail.
It was also alleged that he applied for a mortgage in his ex’s name without her consent. Andrews has denied the claims.
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