An officer investigating phone hacking has been arrested by Scotland Yard's anti-corruption unit
Credit: Alberto OG on Flickr. Some rights reservedAn officer working on the Metropolitan police's phone-hacking investigation has been arrested by the force's anti-corruption unit, reportedly in connection with information being leaked to the Guardian.
The 51-year-old man was arrested at work yesterday (18 August) and has been bailed to return on 29 September. He has been suspended from the Met.
Deputy assistant commissioner Sue Akers, who is in charge of Operation Weeting, said: "I made it very clear when I took on this investigation the need for operational and information security. It is hugely disappointing that this may not have been adhered to.
"The Metropolitan Police Authority takes the un-authorised disclosure of information extremely seriously and has acted swiftly in making these arrests."
There was speculation on Tuesday about how the Guardian was able to publish a story based on documents released by the culture, media and sport select committee half an hour before the documents were published by the committee.
A spokesperson for the Guardian declined to comment on reports that the leaks had been to the Guardian, but said: "We note the arrest of a Scotland Yard detective on suspicion of misconduct in a public office relating to unauthorised disclosure of information.
"On the broader point raised by the arrest, journalists would no doubt be concerned if conversations between off-the-record sources and reporters came routinely to be regarded as criminal activity. In common with all news organisations we have no comment to make on the sources of our journalism."
Operation Weeting made another arrest today. A 35-year-old man, reported to be former News of the World features writer Dan Evans, was arrested by appointment in London and later bailed.
Today's arrests are the 14th and 15th by Operation Weeting, and follow an arrest yesterday reported to be former News of the World Hollywood reporter James Desbrough.
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