No charges had been brought at the time, but the pair were accused of drugs offences later. Jagger was sentenced to three months while Richards was given a year � but both decisions were overturned at appeal.

Last year it was suggested that the entire episode was a plot orchestrated by MI5 and the FBI, who wants to sabotage the Stones' career. Jagger tells Q: "It was scary. We were facing the prospect of a few months inside. Looking back, it was all a bit extreme. It was unnecessary and a waste of everyone's time and money. It was a bit silly, really."

He disagrees with Richards' light-hearted attitude to the experience. "It was nothing to be cavalier about," he says. "It was terrifying. But at the same time it did have its macabre, lighter moments.