Scotland Yard detective arrested over phone hacking leaks

A Scotland Yard detective has been arrested and suspended by his own force over apparent leaks to journalists during the phone hacking investigation.

The Metropolitan Police made the announcement as they confirmed that officers have also questioned a 35-year-old man on suspicion of intercepting voicemails.

The police chief leading the major investigation into criminal activities at the News of the World expressed her annoyance over the officer’s alleged “unauthorised disclosure”.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, in charge of Operation Weeting, said: “I made 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 MPS takes the unauthorised disclosure of information extremely seriously and has acted swiftly in making these arrests.”

The detective constable was arrested at work yesterday afternoon before being bailed to return on 29 September.

Guardian statement

The publishers of the Guardian newspaper declined to comment on reports that the leaks had been to the Guardian, and 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.”