Football boss in abuse inquiry

DAVID JONES, the manager of Southampton Football Club, has been arrested by police taking part in a child-abuse inquiry.

Mr Jones voluntarily visited a police station in Wavertree, Liverpool, on Tuesday in connection with Operation Care - a long-running investigation by Merseyside Police. He was arrested and released on police bail until 17 September.

Mr Jones, a father of four, said: "I did attend on a voluntary basis and I was questioned and released without charge and I am helping police with their inquiries. I am one of many people to be interviewed and I will be going back in September if there are any more questions to answer."

A Merseyside Police statement said: "A 42-year-old man from the Southampton area was arrested yesterday in connection with Operation Care."

A spokeswoman for Southampton Football Club also confirmed that Mr Jones, a former Everton defender and Stockport County manager, had made a "voluntary visit" to police. She said: "The club has no statement to make. It's a personal matter for Dave about a place that he worked at many years ago."

Mr Jones was currently on holiday, as were the rest of the club's coaching staff, she added.

Mr Jones's police interview took place on Tuesday afternoon, a day after the funeral of his brother-in-law, Peter White, 52, who was killed while carrying out maintenance work on a railway track in Liverpool. Speaking about Mr White's death, Mr Jones said: "You can imagine the effect on my wife, Ann, myself and the rest of our family. The staff who know about the tragedy have been brilliant. I didn't tell the players and I admit it has been difficult putting on a smile with them."

Mr White's daughter said yesterday: "Dave came to the funeral with his wife and he seemed fine. There was no mention of any problems and I'm stunned because this is the first I've heard of him being arrested."

Mr Jones was born in Liverpool and made his Everton debut in 1976, playing as a full back after joining the club in 1974. He made 95 appearances for Everton before moving to Coventry City in 1979. His Southampton team helped to avoid relegation from the Premiership by beating Everton 2-0 in the last game of the season last month.

Operation Care has examined abuse in institutions including children's homes and voluntary organisations.

To date, it has resulted in 62 arrests and the investigation of 70 establishments. Nineteen people have been convicted of offences relating to abuse.