George Michael cautioned after being found slumped in car

George Michael

LONDON - Pop star George Michael has been arrested and cautioned after being found once again slumped over the wheel of his car in London and in possession of cannabis, British media said yesterday.

The Sun tabloid splashed the story that Michael had been arrested across its front page. It was his fourth motoring incident in eight months, including three involving him asleep at the wheel, the newspaper said.

A police spokesman said that a 43-year-old man was taken into custody on Sunday, was cautioned by police for having an illegal drug on him and was released on bail pending inquiries on being unfit to drive.

"At about 3.22 am on Sunday morning officers were informed of a stationary vehicle with a driver inside causing an obstruction" in north London, the spokesman said, declining to confirm the identity of the driver as a matter of routine.

He was taken briefly to hospital as a precautionary measure.

The singer's partner, Kenny Goss, told The Sun that Michael had nothing to say. "He's fine and I've got him a McDonald's," he said.

In February, Michael was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs and admitted it had been his "own stupid fault".

The musician has sold more than 80 million records throughout his career and enjoyed as much fame as a solo artist as he did as frontman of the band Wham!.

Michael is no stranger to controversy. He was arrested in April 1998 for engaging in a "lewd act" in a public toilet in Los Angeles, after which he ended years of speculation over his sexuality by announcing that he was gay.

The creator of hits including "Last Christmas" and "Careless Whisper" wrote a song "Outside" and based the accompanying video on the infamous public restroom incident.

- REUTERS