Timeline: Hamilton sex case

The couple have always said the accusations were lies

The extraordinary chain of events in the Neil and Christine Hamilton sex case has seen the couple engulfed by - and embracing - a media frenzy as they fought allegations they described as "monstrous lies":

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10 August:
The couple are arrested after attending Barkingside police station.

On the steps of the police station, the Hamiltons' lawyer, Michael Coleman, discloses in lurid detail what the Hamiltons were alleged by Nadine Milroy-Sloan to have done at a flat in Ilford on 5 May.

The Hamiltons decided they wanted the allegations of sexual assault out in public because they had nothing to hide, with Mrs Hamilton calling them "monstrous lies".

11 August:
News of the surprise arrest over the assault allegation appears on all the newspaper front pages.

In what The Sun calls "a bizarre twist", it reports that the couple were accompanied to the police station by the TV presenter, Louis Theroux, who was making a documentary about them.

13 August:
The Hamiltons say they are considering suing the police for unlawful arrest over the allegations.

Mr Coleman says evidence proving the couple were not involved in the attack has been presented to police, including evidence of their mobile telephone conversations on 5 May.

17 August:
A friend publicly backs the couple's alibi for the night of the alleged sex assault.

Tony Tucker - former head of communications at the Scotch Whisky Association - says he and his daughter went to the couple's London flat for dinner on 5 May.

19 August:
Ms Milroy-Sloan, 27, waives her right to anonymity, telling the News of the World newspaper she wanted "to stand up and be counted" as the Hamiltons' "victim".

But Mr Hamilton repeats his threat to sue the mother-of-four for "making false statements and wasting police time".

22 August:
The couple's solicitor confirms that a High Court writ has been issued against Ms Milroy-Sloan.

Mr Coleman says the Hamiltons are demanding "appropriate" damages and have obtained a High Court injunction freezing her assets up to £400,000, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

28 August:
Police drop their investigation.

A statement issued by the Metropolitan Police says: "Following a thorough investigation, the MPS has found no evidence to support the allegations against Mr and Mrs Hamilton."