Craig Meehan, the stepfather of Shannon Matthews, has been arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

Police investigating the schoolgirl's disappearance confiscated a series of computers during their inquiries, including Mr Meehan's second-hand PC. They are now studying the machine in order to ascertain when the pornographic material was downloaded.

It is thought that the images did not involve any of the Matthews children and there is no suggestion that Shannon’s stepfather is implicated in her disappearance.

Shannon was found on March 14 at the home of Michael Donovan, Mr Meehan's uncle, who lived a short walk from the girl’s family home. Mr Donovan, also known as Paul Drake, is in custody charged with kidnapping and imprisonment.

Officers arrested Mr Meehan as they piece together the events surrounding the movements of the nine-year-old, who did not return to her home in Dewsbury Moor on February 19.

Police have not formally named the 22-year-old they have arrested, but sources have confirmed that it is Mr Meehan.

The supermarket fishmonger who lives with his girlfriend Karen Matthews, Shannon's mother, has denied suggestions by her parents and brother that he had ever hit the girl.

Ms Matthews vehemently defended her partner in a GMTV interview and her support was backed up by Leon Rose, Shannon’s natural father.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “During inquiries by the Shannon Matthews investigation team, the contents of a number of computers has been examined.

“As a result of this work, police have today arrested a 22 year old man from the Dewsbury Moor area, on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

“He is currently being questioned at a West Yorkshire Police Station.”

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