The babysitter accused of assaulting Geri Halliwell’s baby daughter Bluebell has been arrested by police.

In August this year, the former Spice Girl left her then three-month old daughter in the woman’s care while she went for a walk with friends but when Geri returned, she found Bluebell was “bruised and bawling“.

Geri contacted the police at the time and a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the woman was arrested last week: “A 30-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm in connection with an assault on a child. She was taken to a central London police station and bailed for return this month.”

A source close to Geri added that the arrest is “a huge relief” for the family that the case is being pursued.