Detectives are hunting for the partner of a reality TV star in connection with an acid attack in a packed east London nightclub.
The Metropolitan police want to question Arthur Collins, who is the boyfriend of Ferne McCann, after the evacuation of 400 people from the Mangle E8 nightclub in Hackney.
Officers say at least 20 people were injured, including two who were seriously hurt and are being treated at a renowned burns unit in Essex, after an unidentified noxious substance was sprayed.
The Met believes the liquid was splashed during a dispute between two groups of people in the early hours of Monday morning, but are yet to make an arrest. The force also issued a CCTV image of 25-year-old Collins with whom officers would like to speak.
A spokeswoman for McCann, who is best known for her appearances on The Only Way is Essex and I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, 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 cooperated with the police in their inquiries.
“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 cooperate fully with the police and attend a police station immediately.”
Hertfordshire police carried out a raid on a property in Broxbourne in connection with the investigation on Monday night. A man, 54, and a woman, 52, were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.
Australian Prue Fraser, who along with her sister Isobella were two of the 20 victims, on Tuesday queried the club’s security.
“The security wasn’t that tight, I don’t think there were a lot of people being kicked out for bad behaviour,” the 20-year-old, who moved from Sydney to Chelsea to work as a part-time nanny, told Australia’s Seven Network.
“I don’t know how they’ve gotten the bottle in. I guess the bag checks weren’t that good.”
Another victim, 25, who suffered burns on her foot from the acid, said she was “disappointed” with the venue.
“Everyone was like ‘go, go, go’ and ‘let’s move, let’s move’,” said the clubber, who asked not to be named.
“Then they started getting everyone out. At the time I didn’t realise I had been attacked, I thought someone had dropped a cigarette on my foot, but it was getting more red and stinging.
“It’s just like a red circle round my toes, around the size of a 50p piece, it is more sore than if you burned yourself, it is really stinging.
“It is scary because you just go out to have a good night and you realise how close it could have been to being a lot worse.
“I’m a bit disappointed with the club because they were frisking and checking our bags, but there were a considerable amount of people hurt so it must have been a whole bottle, it shouldn’t have got into the club.”
Calls to Mangle E8 and love4clubbing, the company that promoted the event, went unanswered on Tuesday evening.
All victims were treated for minor injuries, according to police, although a 24-year-old and a 29-year-old man are being treated at the St Andrews Centre for Plastic Surgery and Burns at Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford.
Police have yet to reveal results of detailed tests of the liquid but a fire brigade spokeswoman said a pH paper test indicated a “strong acidic substance”.
Anyone with information can call detectives via 101 or via Twitter @MetCC. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
