Double-bass Player Duncan McTier Arrested over Alleged Assault at Royal Northern College of Music

A world-renowned double-bass player has been arrested as part of an investigation into historical sexual abuse at music schools in Manchester.

Duncan McTier, 58, was arrested at his home in London on suspicion of indecently assaulting a 21-year-old woman while she was a pupil at the the Royal Northern College of Music in 1994.

McTier, now a professor of the double bass at the Royal Academy of Music, remains in police custody for questioning.

Police investigating historical sexual abuse at the college in central Manchester, and Chetham's School of Music, have said more than 30 women have come forward with allegations of abuse.

The investigation was launched following the conviction of former teacher Michael Brewer, who was found guitly in February of abusing former pupil Frances Andrade in the 1970s and 80s.

Andrade, 48, died in an apparent suicide after being cross-examined during the trial.

McTier is a hugely respected musician, having played in the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the age of 20 and gained professorships at Royal Academy of Music in London, the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste in Switzerland, and the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofia in Madrid.

He has also been awarded Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music and Fellowship of the Royal Northern College of Music.

McTier is the second person to be arrested as part of the investigation.

In February a 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape. He remains on police bail pending further enquiries.

The investigation, named Operation Kiso, is also looking into claims of sexual abuse and inappropriate behaviour at other UK specialist schools, including the Yehudi Menuhin school in Surrey, the Purcell School in Hertfordshire, Wells Cathedral school in Somerset and St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh.

Surrey Police confirmed they have been contacted by the Yehudi Menuhin School following "allegations of historic sexual abuse against a member of staff who is now deceased".

Channel 4 News said the accused is founding member of the school Marcel Gazelle, a pianist who died aged 52 in 1969. He is accused of abusing girls as young as 10 at the school in Surrey.

The school said they are "shocked and saddened" by the allegations.