THE Muslim community leader who claimed he had been kidnapped by two men and dumped in Epping Forest has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, the Guardian understands.

Noor Ramjanally, of Valley Hill, Loughton, had alleged last week that two men abducted him from his flat and forced him into a 4x4 at knifepoint.

He said they drove him to Epping Forest in the boot of the vehicle before taking him out and telling him to stop the Muslim prayer services he had begun at Murray Hall in March.

Today (September 3), Mr Ramjanally has been arrested and is being questioned at Harlow police station.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A man has been arrested in connection with an ongoing police investigation into an alleged abduction in West Essex.

“Police were contacted on Monday August 24 by a man who stated that he had been abducted from his home in the Valley Hill area of Loughton.

“On Thursday September 3, police arrested a 36 year-old man from the town on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.”