Former CFMEU boss John Setka has been charged with attempting to threaten or intimidate the union’s government-appointed administrator.

Victorian and federal police arrested Setka at a property in Melbourne’s inner west at 6.40am on Wednesday. He was later interviewed and charged.

“Investigators will allege the Footscray man sent a number of allegedly threatening, offensive and abusive emails to a CFMEU administrator,” police said.

Three police officers escorted a handcuffed Setka from an apartment building to a black SUV.

It is understood police have seized Setka’s mobile phone and are analysing his communications.

Setka was charged with seven counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend the union’s government-appointed administrator, Mark Irving, KC. He was bailed

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