Lee Andrews' father has revealed his son is being detained in Dubai after disappearing and leaving his wife Katie Price distraught over his sudden absence.
Self-styled millionaire Lee has been unaccounted for more than a week after withdrawing from a Good Morning Britain appearance with Katie at the last minute when he failed to travel to the UK.
Speaking today, Lee's father Pete, who is in Dubai supporting him, has confirmed that his son has been detained by the UAE authorities.
The businessman said: "Lee is OK. He has not been kidnapped but he is under arrest. I don't know on what charge. I'm not sure where he is being held. But he will call me later today."
"He is not at my house," he informed the Daily Mail. Lee had been residing with dad Pete prior to his relationship with mum-of-five Katie developing earlier this year, reports the Mirror.
The chief of Dubai Police Brigadier Khalid Khalifa al Avadhi told the Mail: "There are many cases against him."
The Mirror has contacted representatives for comment.
After their rapid marriage, Katie was left devastated when Lee inexplicably ceased communication with her earlier this month. Following several days of no contact, Katie informed fans she'd received a FaceTime call from Lee in which he claimed his hands had been 'cable-tied' and he'd been bundled into the back of a van. The puzzle intensified on Thursday evening when Lee's Instagram profile began following a woman named Mari Sol, who boasts approximately 800 followers and identifies herself as a "biker babe" and a "navy veteran". Mari represents the sole person Lee follows on the platform besides Katie.
On Tuesday, Katie posted what she claimed were the final text messages she had received from Andrews' phone. One message stated: "Been arrested, I'll be in touch, I'm ok xx."
It emerged on Monday that Andrews' relatives had lodged a missing persons report at the British Embassy in Dubai. Meanwhile, Katie announced she would no longer involve herself in the mystery 'for the sake of her own sanity.'
"I'm taking a step back," she explained. "There's only one person I also need to look after and that's myself. I am now taking a step back and that's it," she revealed on her weekly podcast. "I've still got work, I've got exciting things coming up and for my sanity, I don't know what's true and what's not true, I don't know now."
"My tentacles are up, my antennas are up and I've decided to take a step back from everything, assess everything in my way and just continue with my life and what will be will be."
Lee subsequently failed to contact Katie on her birthday this week, leaving her devastated.
