Socialite arrested by armed police after flying into a rage

The socialite was handcuffed after swearing at officers when she was refused entry to a first class lounge. She was later released without charge

English socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was arrested and handcuffed by eight armed police at the weekend after flying into a rage at Heathrow.

Tara, 42, swore and gesticulated at officers as they questioned her over her behaviour. The socialite tore out her hair extensions in the heated exchange with police.

She grew increasingly angry after she was refused access to a first class lounge, The Sun reported.

She was arrested as she tried to storm off during questioning but was later released without charge.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police at Heathrow Terminal 5 were made aware of disturbance in the forecourt of the building at approximately 15.20hrs on Saturday, 20 December.

“Officers arrived at the scene and arrested a 42 -year-old woman.

“She was taken to a west London police station and subsequently accepted a caution under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.”

Tara is now understood to have flown to the exclusive ski resort of Klosters in Switzerland to celebrate her 43rd birthday on Tuesday.

 Tara said a panic attack triggered her behaviour, adding: “I wasn’t drunk, there was no disorderly. I was cautioned, I saw a doctor, they were nice to me.”

In March last year Tara was stopped by airport security over her pistol-shaped high heels.

The former It girl had been at her holiday home in Klosters, Switzerland, and was returning to London when police stopped her at Zurich airport.

Tara told her followers: “Was arrested at Zurich airport with my Chanel killer heels in my luggage... not a good look on the x Ray!!”

Earlier this year Tara revealed new details of her tumultous life - including how she nearly died after overdosing on cocaine.

Speaking to talk-show host Jeremy Kyle, she explained she had become a recluse since a £35k rehab visit.

The former socialite, who grew up holidaying with the royal family and is Prince Charles’ Goddaughter,  says her addiction meant she developed a “psychosis” and was “devious and deceptive and deceitful."

Despite putting her drug shame behind her these days, telling Jeremy: "I don’t have any temptation to take drugs any more. No, no, gosh no. Drugs absolutely terrify me," Tara says she is still struggling and her anxiety problems have seen her turn into a "recluse now."

Tara adds: "I get terribly anxious going out, I’ve only been out three times this year. I don’t go out to public events. For the last two years I haven’t worked.

"I've seen a therapist every single week for the last nine, ten years of my life."

photo:saintsrow.com