Best 'will sue' over assault claims

George Best was today at the centre of a police probe into allegations he molested a young girl.

The Manchester United legend was arrested on suspicion of indecently assaulting the child at an address in Surrey. He was interviewed at Staines police station.

A police spokesman confirmed they had received an allegation of indecent assault against a 59-year-old man who was held on 9 June, over an incident said to have taken place in May.

Best's agent Phil Hughes today called the claims - involving a girl under 13 - "outrageous" and "totally unfounded". "George is totally innocent," he said. "We will defend this vigorously. We will certainly be suing the people who made these allegations once we have proven his innocence."

Mr Hughes said Best, who underwent a liver transplant after years of alcohol abuse, had been hit hard by the claims. "It does not help him with trying to stay off the drink," he said.

"Today he is going to be chased round by the press wherever he goes." The arrest has come to light a week after Best's arrest for allegedly assaulting Vicky Pope, 34, at the home of exlover Gina Devivo, 35.

Miss Pope, a mother of three, claimed Best punched her as she tried to stop him harassing Miss Devivo. Three days earlier Best was left with two black eyes after a brawl with former girlfriend Ros Hollidge, 37.

Mr Hughes said Best is now staying with Ms Hollidge after spending a couple of days with his ex-wife Alex, 33. Alex Best today defended her former husband, declaring the allegations that he had molested a schoolgirl to be a "load of rubbish".