Steven Handy, 37, returned to Malaga on Monday with three friends, who were all arrested at the airport.

Diplomatic sources confirmed that Mr Handy, from Dover, Kent, was detained at Malaga airport following an "anonymous tip-off" to the Spanish authorities.

All four were later released without charge.

Mr Handy was later released

A spokesman for the British Embassy in Madrid said: "Mr Handy was arrested along with three travelling companions following an anonymous tip-off ahead of their arrival.

"They were detained on suspicion of carrying illegal drugs and searched.

"After the search proved negative, they were released and no further action will be taken."

Mr Handy faces charges in Spain of attacking 31-year-old air hostess Fiona Weir with a bottle on 30 October.

He was charged under Spain's Air Navigation Act of endangering an aircraft and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Handy was released on bail after appearing before the city's magistrates.

Air hostess Fiona Weir was scarred for life

He failed to turn up at two subsequent hearings and was subsequently reported to have been persuaded to return to Spain after being found in an Essex pub.

He does not face immediate arrest under Spanish law, and is further bailed to appear at Malaga's Palace of Justice on 4 December.

The British Embassy spokesman said: "Mr Handy is not due to appear before the court again for another 10 or 11 days and as such it would be unlikely for him to face arrest.

"He must now wait for his court appearance and the decision of magistrates about how his case should progress."

After Mr Handy's alleged involvement in the incident, which left Miss Weir needing 18 stitches, he was banned from British airlines, ferry companies and Eurotunnel.