Scribe's 'racist' arrest claim rejected

Rapper Scribe was arrested. Photo / Supplied

Police have rejected accusations of racism from rapper Scribe, after the Christchurch man was arrested in Wellington on Saturday morning.

The singer of the hit Not Many made the claim after he was arrested on Courtenay Place on Saturday morning, writing on Twitter he had been released from the police cells at 3am.

"Just got out of the cells..Pfffft F*** the police.... I got illegally arrested & released without charge..Wow I expected it from CHCH but racist police in Welli! Wow...!!!!

"I got arrested for freestyling in Cuba Mall...If it wasn't for my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and extensive knowledge of the LAW I might still be there.."

Later Scribe, real name Malo Luafutu, tweeted he had been warned for disorderly behaviour.

However acting Wellington area commander Detective Inspector Stephen Vaughan rejected claims of racism, telling the Dominion Post Mr Luafutu "was heavily intoxicated and his behaviour was aggressive and threatening".

"I can understand people making excuses for their behaviour, but I am really disappointed that Mr Luafutu has raised allegations of racism, which was certainly not the case.

"Mr Luafutu is welcome to contact me personally to discuss any concerns he may have."

A woman, who declined to be named, told the Herald on Sunday she saw Scribe and a friend sitting on a bench on Dixon St in Wellington about 12.30am.

"A cop car rolled over to where they were sitting and three cops got out and went over to them and said 'You're coming with us' and handcuffed both of them," she said.

Her friend had seen them drinking at a waterfront bar earlier.

"They were very obeying as if they knew they had done something wrong. It was as if the cops had been looking for them.

Her brother said the pair looked "pretty drunk".

"They were laughing about it," he said.