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Police hunt fiancé of ex-TOWIE star over Hackney acid attack
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 19 April 2017
Police are attempting to locate the fiancé of former ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star Ferne McCann in relation to the suspected acid attack at Hackney’s Mangle nightclub earlier this week.
As previously reported, several people were injured, two seriously, when a noxious substance was thrown inside the club in the early hours of Monday morning. It is believed that the incident occurred following a dispute between two groups of men. Around 600 people were evacuated from the venue.
Police have now issued an arrest warrant for Hertfordshire businessman Arthur Collins, who is currently missing. A raid was carried out on an address in Hertfordshire on Monday night, police have confirmed. People have been warned not to approach Collins if they spot him.
A spokesperson for McCann said: “Ferne is aware that the police wish to speak to Arthur Collins and the nature of the accusations against him. Obviously these are highly shocking and Ferne has co-operated with the police in their inquiries”.
They added: “She was not with Arthur on Sunday night, was not at Mangle and has no direct knowledge of the events that unfolded. As much as anybody she wants to know the truth and urges Arthur to co-operate fully with the police and attend a police station immediately”.
McCann had announced the couple’s engagement on Sunday, and they are on the cover of this week’s OK Magazine discussing their plans.
The number of people injured in the attack has now risen to 20, with a police spokesperson saying in an update on the investigation: “We now have 20 people suffering from the effects of an acidic substance being sprayed in a confined space in a busy nightclub. All have burn related injuries. The noxious substance used has not yet been confirmed but samples retrieved from the scene have been sent for analysis. If you were there and saw anyone involved inside or leaving the nightclub, please get in touch”.
