ShelterBox founder Tom Henderson arrested by fraud investigation police
The founder of the aid charity ShelterBox has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and money-laundering offences, the BBC understands.
Tom Henderson, the former head of the Cornwall-based charity, was one of three men arrested as part of a continuing fraud inquiry.
Police said a man, 33, from Hayle and a man, 40, from Beaminster, Dorset were also arrested for similar offences.
The three men have been released on bail until December.
The arrests followed a search of three properties by officers from Devon & Cornwall Police's Economic Crime Unit, during which items were removed for analysis, the force said.
Police said a 62-year-old man was arrested in connection with an investigation at a Helston-based charity allegedly involving a former senior member of staff.
Mr Henderson founded ShelterBox in 2000 and was appointed OBE in 2010 for services to humanitarian aid.
He left the Helston-based charity in July 2012.
ShelterBox said it had been "made aware" a former member of staff had been arrested.
It said: "The employee in question was dismissed from his role with ShelterBox in July 2012, and is no longer connected with the charity.
"We are confident that his arrest is in no way related to ShelterBox's current activities."
ShelterBox delivers survival equipment in large green boxes to disaster areas around the world.