Singer, 25, released on bail after allegedly ‘pulling photographer to floor’ as his girlfriend argued with onlookers who were filming incident

One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson has been arrested at Los Angeles airport after an altercation with a paparazzi photographer. The 25-year-old singer was taken into custody before being released on a $20,000 (£16,000) bond and instructed to return to court on 29 March. Footage of the alleged incident was published by Radar Online.

The singer was reportedly with his girlfriend Eleanor Calder when the confrontation, which happened on Friday, took place. Police documents showed Tomlinson was subjected to a citizen’s arrest. Calder then argued with onlookers who had begun filming the incident.

TMZ.com reported that the photographer was too close for Tomlinson’s comfort, “so he allegedly pulled the photographer to the floor by his legs. The photographer fell backwards and struck his back and head on the floor.”

According to the celebrity news site, “A female witness started recording Louis’ GF as she tried to leave. The two women allegedly then got into a physical altercation.”

Lawyer Martin Singer told TMZ: “The paparazzi provoked and caused the altercation that occurred with Louis at the airport this morning. While the altercation was going on with the paparazzi, three other individuals were attacking his girlfriend during this incident and he came to her defence.”

The incident took place as the couple were returning to Los Angeles from a holiday in Las Vegas. Tomlinson is reportedly working on a solo career while One Direction are on hiatus. The group remain one of the most successful boy bands of all time.