Graham Mitchell with wife Laura

by Alex Claridge

A photographer from Canterbury at the centre of an international wrangle over his extradition to Portugal has spoken of the mental torture he is suffering.

Graham Mitchell was arrested by British police at his home in St Martin's Road after Portuguese authorities issued a European Arrest Warrant.

This comes despite the fact he was tried and acquitted of attempted murder in the Algarve in 1995.

The 49-year-old was taken away by British officers before an appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court. He is now on bail, but must report to police every day.

Mr Mitchell, who lives with wife Laura and their two children, says he is still unsure what has prompted Portugal to seek his re-arrest earlier this month.

The former Scots Guardsman said: "The effect this having on me and my family is unbelievable - it's a nightmare.

"We don't know what the arrest warrant is for and are just waiting for that information.

"I'm really struggling - every day is a struggle and I have all these thoughts running around in my mind."

Kent MEP Nigel Farage, pictured left, branded Mr Mitchell's arrest as "the most grotesque manifestation of the European Arrest Warrant to date".

The UKIP leader said: "Graham Mitchell should be able to rely on his government protecting his rights and demanding to see what fresh evidence can be produced by the Portuguese authorities before any action is taken."

Mr Mitchell's nightmare began when he and his friend Warren Tozer went on a fishing holiday to Albufeira, in the Algarve, in May 1994.

He and Mr Tozer were then arrested for an alleged assault on a 26-year-old German tourist called Andre Jorling, who was injured after falling off a wall and paralysed from the waist down.

The pair spent more than a year in custody until they were cleared at trial of attempting to murder Mr Jorling.

A crew from BBC One's Panorama covered the case and filmed the court proceedings, which show their acquittal.

Mr Mitchell's life had just returned to normal when British police knocked at his Canterbury home on March 6.

Officers clasping European Arrest Warrants issued by Portugal arrested him and removed him from the house.

After spending a night at Wandsworth Prison in London, he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court where he was told his initial acquittal was being challenged and that he was being accused of first degree murder - even though Mr Jorling is still alive.

The court has granted Mr Mitchell conditional bail and ordered that he surrender his passport. He was also made to pay a £5,000 surety and must report to police every day.

Mr Mitchell believes he will not be able to restore normality until the Portuguese reveal why they ordered his arrest.

"We don't know what this for - whether the original not guilty finding has been overturned or whether someone has given some new evidence," he said.

"There is just lots and lots of rumour and speculation. The not knowing makes it 10 times harder for me.

"And until the Portuguese put their cards on the table, we won't be able to for any sort of defence. "Otherwise we are just in limbo."