Apprentice star arrested

He is the would be tycoon whose smooth-talking skills entertained millions on The Apprentice.

Sir Alan Sugar even complimented him on what others might describe as a brash approach to business.

But Syed Ahmed's financial affairs have attracted the attention of the police after he helped a former business partner transfer money from a disputed £400,000 loan out of a joint account.

Yesterday the 31-year-old businessman was keeping tight-lipped after it emerged he had been arrested on suspicion of being involved in money-laundering.

He insists he signed the transfer document purely as a favour because the other man was abroad.

His lawyer, Scott Ewing, said the incident should not have been dealt with as a criminal matter.

Mr Ahmed, who regularly clashed with Sir Alan on the BBC TV show in the spring, was quizzed by detectives over a £400,000 loan from selfmade millionaire Terry Brady.

It was allegedly used by Mr Ahmed's business partner Aftab Ahmed, who is no relation, to buy a flat. Mr Brady claims he was misled.

Mr Ewing said Aftab Ahmed paid the money into a dormant business account connected with IT People, the recruitment consultancy the pair set up, but which Syed Ahmed has since left.

Aftab Ahmed is understood to have transferred half of it to a personal account and then, while he was abroad, asked Syed Ahmed to transfer the rest. It was this transaction that Syed signed for.

Mr Ewing said: 'That is the only involvement he had. I am confident the police interview will be the end of the matter.'

Mr Ahmed, who has confirmed that he is the father of the child expected by Michelle Dewberry, the eventual winner of The Apprentice, insists he did nothing wrong.

A friend said: 'It was a personal-loan to Aftab and had no connection to Syed or the company. He is very angry that he is being connected with whatever happened between the other two men.

'Syed is a businessman with a lot to think about, not least the fact that Michelle is pregnant. This is the last thing he needs.'