'I understood that the Hong Kong police wanted to meet and discuss the case with me,' Mr Yeung's statement read. 'I swiftly shortened my work trip and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon so as to assist the investigation . . .

'As the case is still under investigation, it is not convenient for me to make any response in the meantime. But I have always deeply believed in the ability of the Hong Kong police and I am very willing to co-operate with the police.

'I hope the police will solve the case as soon as possible. I am grateful for the care and support of friends in the media.'

Mr Yeung's arrest prompted wild scenes outside the Kowloon West regional crime unit headquarters in Kowloon City, where about 100 reporters and photographers were waiting for his departure.

At least two dozen traffic police and tactical unit officers were on hand to guard the police van in which Mr Yeung was driven from the station.

Reporters and photographers were unable to pursue as police switched traffic lights to red as the van sped away.

Mr Yeung's whereabouts were not known last night.

Seven plain-clothes detectives had arrested Mr Yeung after his British Airways flight from London landed at 3.58pm.

He was taken directly from the restricted area to a police car with blacked-out windows and driven to the airport police station. Mr Yeung was then escorted to Kowloon City.

Airport security was also tested as scores of journalists, some having arrived as early as 9am, waited for Mr Yeung's return at three strategic locations - the two exits at the arrival hall and the airport police station.

When Mr Yeung was driven away from the airport, at least a dozen press cars and motorbikes chased after the van.

A police spokesman would only confirm a man had been arrested at the airport in connection with an assault case.

'He was arrested for conspiracy to assault in connection with a case in which an artist was assaulted in February this year,' the spokesman said.

Leung, 34, a disc jockey at RTHK, was assaulted by two men on February 12, weeks after he lampooned Canto-pop singer Yung on a TV show and made a remark about her relationship with Mr Yeung, who is her boss.

It is understood that Mr Yeung's lawyer contacted police before his return to Hong Kong. Police arrested Yung and Mr Hong on Saturday for suspected involvement in the case.

The arrest of Yung and Mr Hong last week came a day after police picked up nine men in connection with an attack on comedian Eric Tsang Chi-wai last month.

All 11 have been released on $2,000 bail.

Yung broke her silence over her arrest on Tuesday when she said she had 'absolute confidence' in the police, despite her publicist expressing shock at the detention of the 21-year-old singer and actress and criticising the force for its 'hasty' action.

Mr Hong yesterday maintained his innocence in the case.

He said he phoned Leung and invited him to a party at the Emperor Byron Hotel, owned by Mr Yeung, shortly after the assault on the night of February 12.

'As I know Leung personally, I was concerned about him and just wanted to give him a call. He sounded unhappy on the phone. I asked him to come to the party and he said he would come.'

Mr Hong said he could not remember who came up with the idea of asking Leung to join the party, also attended by Mr Yeung.

'It does not matter who initiated it. The point is I only said hello when Leung arrived. I was not involved in his chat with others after he arrived,' Mr Hong said.