Ex-healthcare worker held in alleged corrupt payments probe

A former healthcare worker has been arrested by detectives investigating alleged corrupt payments to public officials, Scotland Yard said.

The 59-year-old man was held at around 6.30am today at his home in the Knowsley area of Merseyside on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, corruption and conspiracy to commit both those offences.

He is being questioned at a police station in Merseyside and his home is being searched.

The arrest is a result of information given to police by News Corporation's Management and Standards Committee.

It brings the number of people detained under Operation Elveden, the investigation into inappropriate payments, to 57.

PA