Denaro, nicknamed “Diabolik”, is wanted for 50 murders and is the “capo di tutti capi” – the boss of all bosses – of the Sicilian Mafia. He is one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives.

The arrested man was eventually “sprung” by his Dutch lawyer, Leon van Kleef, from a maximum security jail in Vught.

Mr van Kleef said: “Sometimes in the practise of law things that might go quick take ages. The press release has helped but it took three days.

“I went to the press in the hope of speeding things up because normally it’s a matter of time.

“You can imagine. He had anger and disbelief and laughter. Because it is ludicrous.

“He is a normal Formula One fan.

“I was always convinced he was not it. It would have been a genius of an Italian to have such a strong Liverpool accent.”

Mr van Kleef said the British man did not wish to be identified and would not comment further on the case.