SOrry, he's allowed two calls, one of which must be to a legal council, he can't be ringing two friends, .. what I meant is, he can only have his solicitor in on his interview. But he is allowed, of course to talk privately with his solicitor. The phone call to a friend is a no privacy business. That is done with officers present. ( also, it's recorded, but his call to his solicitor is not . all and any calls between the accused and family, friends, enemies, bookmaker, library books overdue etc all are recorded but not any with his legal team. ) .
The thing is, the police can, and have no hesitation in doing so if it seems applicable , prevent you from ringing a friend.. the legal rep call is enshrined in statute but the call to a friend is a variable, under some conditions. Some arrests, like drunk and disorderly, they won't let you ring anyone for hours, until you sober up.