Search: Bomb Detector Mandelson
A machine marketed as a bomb detector to Iraq and Afghanistan has been banned from export amid allegations it does not work.
The director of the firm which markets the device has also been arrested on suspicion of fraud, it emerged.
Lord Mandelson's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Bis) announced the ban on the ADE651, marketed by a UK-based company called ATSC, after an investigation for BBC2's Newsnight challenged the scientific basis for the technology it uses.
Britain's embassy in Baghdad has raised concerns over the hand-held device with the government of prime minister Nouri Maliki, which is reported to have bought large numbers of ADE651s for use at security checkpoints.
ATSC director Jim McCormick, 53, has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by misrepresentation and bailed pending further investigation, Avon and Somerset Police said.
In a statement, Bis said: "Tests have shown that the technology used in the ADE651 and similar devices is not suitable for bomb detection.
"As non-military technology it does not need an export licence and we would not normally need to monitor its sale and use abroad. However, it is clearly of concern that it is being used as bomb detection equipment.
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"As soon as it was brought to the attention of the Export Control Organisation and Lord Mandelson we acted urgently to put in place export restrictions which will come into force next week."
Lord Mandelson's department is to make an order under the Export Control Act 2002, banning the export of devices of this type to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The reason the ban is limited to these two countries is that our legal power to control these goods is based on the risk that they could cause harm to UK and other friendly forces," said BIS.
