The residence of Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, a reality television personality and Britain's first openly gay football club owner, has been searched by law enforcement as part of an inquiry into alleged human trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape.
Officers reportedly forced entry into the property this morning by breaking through a wooden fence. Drewitt-Barlow, who acquired non-league Maldon and Tiptree FC in February of the previous year, resides in a lavish Essex mansion with his husband, Scott.
Forensic units were observed examining the contemporary home, situated on a rural lane near Danbury, with multiple police vehicles present on the driveway. Essex Police later confirmed the arrest of two men, aged 57 and 32, on suspicion of rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and administering a noxious substance. Searches were also conducted at properties in Braintree and Maldon.
Drewitt-Barlow is set to feature in an upcoming ITV documentary, scheduled for broadcast next week, which chronicles his ownership of Maldon and Tiptree FC and his ambitions to revitalise the club.
In a statement, an Essex Police spokesperson said: 'Detectives leading an investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation, rape and other sexual offences have today, Wednesday 6 May, made two arrests and carried out a series of warrants. Officers from the Serious Crime Directorate at Essex Police have today carried out co-ordinated searches of premises in Danbury, Maldon and Braintree as part of their investigation. Searches remain ongoing at all of the locations. Two men from Danbury have also been arrested. A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of: rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance. A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance. Both men remain in custody where they are being questioned by detectives.'
Detective Inspector Lydia George, leading the investigation, added: 'If anyone has any information they feel ready to share with us, I would ask them to contact us via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) and the investigation team will provide you with any specialist support required.'
Drewitt-Barlow and his ex-husband Tony made headlines in 1999 when they became one of the first gay couples in the UK to have children via a surrogate mother. More recently, the entrepreneur allowed a stranger to live in his home for a reality show and has appeared on programmes such as Rich House, Poor House and Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
He is due to star in a documentary styled after Welcome to Wrexham, which has followed the tumultuous first year of his ownership of Maldon and Tiptree, who finished the season as champions of the Isthmian League North. The six-part series, titled Up The Jammers and airing on ITV4, chronicles Drewitt-Barlow and Scott's efforts to elevate the team to the English Football League within four years.
Police also searched the clubhouse and stadium of Maldon and Tiptree FC, with squad cars and a forensic van seen in the car park.
In the past, Drewitt-Barlow has claimed to have been approached by footballers, including three he says are currently playing in the Premier League, who are concealing their homosexuality. He told the BBC that while he is willing to help, he does not wish to become 'the poster boy for gay footballing.' He remarked: 'I've already been classed as the poster boy for gay parenting or surrogacy and it doesn't get anybody anywhere. I don't think people want to [come out] because they're scared about what might happen in the dressing room, as well as on the pitch. I think the only people that can truly help and make it more normalised are the leagues and the FA.'
