Detective Arrested For 'Leaking Hacking Info'

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16053350

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5:17pm UK, Friday August 19, 2011
Detective Arrested For 'Leaking Hacking Info'

A Scotland Yard detective has been arrested for allegedly leaking information about the hacking inquiry to The Guardian.

He has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office relating to the "unauthorised disclosure of information", Scotland Yard said.

The 51-year-old was arrested at work on Thursday afternoon and has been bailed until September 29 pending further inquiries.

He was suspended from his job on Friday.

Sky's crime correspondent Martin Brunt said he believed the detective had been working on the inquiry since January.

He was held overnight on suspicion of leaking details to The Guardian, which has had a series of scoops about the probe.

New Scotland Yard building in Victoria, London, on January 27, 2011

The detective has also been suspended from his job

The Met also announced that a 35-year-old was arrested by appointment on Friday as part of the hacking investigation.

It is understood he is feature writer Dan Evans, a suspended News of the World journalist.

He was held for questioning on suspicion of conspiring to unlawfully intercept voicemails before being bailed until October.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, who is in charge of the hacking probe, 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 MPS takes the un-authorised disclosure of information extremely seriously and has acted swiftly in making these arrests."

Mr Evans was suspended in April 2010 after interior designer Kelly Hoppen, actress Sienna Miller's stepmother, brought a damages claim alleging he tried to hack into her voicemails.

The now-defunct Sunday tabloid and lawyers for the journalist have said an extensive investigation found no evidence to support Ms Hoppen's claims.

It is thought that Scotland Yard arrested the writer over separate phone hacking allegations.

Like his colleagues, Mr Evans is currently part way through a 90-day consultation period after the paper closed in July because of the scandal.

A News International spokesman said: "We are fully co-operating with the police investigation and we are unable to comment further on matters due to ongoing police investigations."