The former Chilean dictator, Gen Augusto Pinochet, left hospital last night in an ambulance under heavy police guard. He swept out of the Grovelands Priory Hospital in Southgate, North London accompanied by a police doctor and with the ambulance flanked by police cars.
Officials refused to confirm where he was heading, but it was known his destination was a house on the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Surrey where he arrived shortly afterwards.
The Grovelands Priory Hospital confirmed that its most notorious patient had been discharged. A spokesman said: "Gen Pinochet left the hospital at 6.45 p.m."
The general's departure followed a statement issued by his solicitor earlier yesterday saying the general was "distressed" at reports that he had outstayed his welcome at the hospital and was resisting efforts to discharge him. Mr Michael Caplan said the 83-year-old general had always been anxious to leave the hospital as soon as possible. But the move needed the approval of the British police and the Spanish government.
Mr Caplan said Mr Pinochet had planned to leave the hospital on Monday, but the plans had fallen through because of "practical difficulties" ensuring alternative accommodation was available and prepared for his arrival.
On Monday the hospital made it clear that managers wanted him to leave, saying there was no further care they were able to give him.
Gen Pinochet was heckled by a handful of protesters as he left the hospital. A police doctor accompanied the general, Mr Caplan said.
Earlier in the day, the hecklers had shouted "come out you coward" and "we want justice". Passing motorists cheered them on with supportive hoots, and shouts from windows calling for the former Chilean leader's extradition to Spain.
Gen Pinochet is expected to remain at his new address until the Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, rules whether extradition proceedings to send him to face trial in Spain should go ahead, or whether he should be sent home. That announcement is due on December 11th.
Jane Walker adds from Madrid: Chilean Foreign Minister, Mr Jose Miguel Insulza, devoted most of his whirlwind visit to Madrid yesterday to try to convince the Spanish government that Gen Pinochet should return to Chile rather than be extradited to Spain. After meeting the leaders of both Houses of Parliament and the leaders of the opposition on Monday, he had further meetings yesterday with prime minister, Mr Jose Maria Aznar, and with the foreign minister, Mr Abel Matutes.
Speaking yesterday after his meeting with Mr Matutes, Mr Insulza denied allegations that the democratic process in Chile had been weakened by the detention of Gen Pinochet, but he admitted Chile's relations with Spain and the UK had been harmed by the case. He also said the case had become so politicised in Spain it would be difficult for Gen Pinochet to have a fair trial in Madrid.
Mr Insulza denied the Chilean government was paying Gen Pinochet's substantial legal costs or the costs of the mansion where he was expected to move after his release from hospital. "We will assume only the costs for the defence of Chilean rights," he said. "Mr Pinochet will have to pay all his personal expenses such as his defence in the High Court or the House of Lords."
Meanwhile, the National Court examining magistrate, Judge Baltasar Garzon, continues work on his indictment against Gen Pinochet.