Farmer Tony Martin will face no further action following his arrest in December for suspected firearms offences.

Police have today (Friday) confirmed the 71-year-old will face no further action after officers carried out searches and a full investigation.

Mr Martin was arrested in Wisbech following after a planned police operation at his derelict home in Emneth Hungate on December 31. There was speculation at the time that comment made by Mr Martin to a national newspaper reporter that he still kept a gun had led to the arrest.

A police spokesman said: “A 71-year-old man arrested and bailed in connection with firearms offences after a planned police operation in Emneth Hungate in December, will face no further action.

“Officers, who carried out searches on Thursday December 31, acted on credible intelligence of illegal firearms at a property resulting in a man being arrested in Wisbech and taken into police custody, where he was questioned.

“He was subsequently bailed until February 2016 pending further enquiries.”

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Coller said: “Public safety is paramount and Norfolk Constabulary takes all reports of firearms seriously.

“Following the arrest a thorough search, under Section 18 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), was conducted and officers seized a firearm, which was believed to be an air weapon. However following further enquiries, it was deemed not to be a viable weapon due to its condition.”

Mr Martin served three years in prison for shooting dead Fred Barras, 16, at his home in 1999. He was initially found guilty of murder but this was reduced to manslaughter on appeal.