£75,000

Last updated : 13 October 2002 By Editor

'Mr Ebden, who claims to run a football club and has a string of debts, said: "I phoned Ferguson. He denied everything categorically and said Nadia was drunk.

"Had he apologised and said he'd been drinking and was sorry, then at worst we'd have accepted that. But he was completely obnoxious."

He added: "I can give the full story of what happened—every detail. Nadia will tell the story, too. But it'll cost £75,000."

A police source said: "When Abrahams gave her statement there was concern she was the worse for drink. It gives us some concern about the reliability of her account.

"We are obliged to investigate but are also looking at the possibility this was fabricated and an attempt to extort money."