LONDON - British supermodel Naomi Campbell was arrested in central London on suspicion of assaulting her drugs counselor, according to her spokesman and media reports.

The supermodel was released early on Thursday on bail without having been charged, but must appear before police later this month, Britain's domestic Press Association said.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell, pictured in 2005, was arrested in central London on suspicion of assaulting her drugs counselor, according to her spokesman and media reports. [AFP]

Campbell's spokesman said late on Wednesday that he believed there had been a "misunderstanding", saying: "We are sure it will all be sorted out when the police investigate.

The Sun tabloid reported in an early edition of its Thursday newspaper that the supermodel was arrested for allegedly scratching her drugs counselor all over her face, citing an unnamed source.

A spokeswoman for London's Metropolitan Police declined to confirm whether Campbell had been arrested, in line with the force's policy of not naming suspects until they are charged.

"Earlier this afternoon a woman attended a central London police station and alleged an assault on her at an address in Westminster," she told AFP.

"Officers attended the address and a woman, aged 36, was arrested at around 1:20 pm (1220 GMT) for an alleged assault. She was taken to a central London police station."

The police later confirmed that the 36-year-old was released, and has not been charged.

Campbell is one of the world's most recognisable faces -- she has worked with several major designers, including Ralph Lauren, Versace, and Dolce and Gabbana. She was the first black model to appear on the covers of Time magazine, and the French and British editions of Vogue.