Ex-NHS pair bailed in suspected corrupt payments investigation

Two former NHS employees arrested as part of the police probe into suspected corrupt payments to officials have been released on bail, Scotland Yard said.

The 46-year-old-man and 42-year-old woman were held yesterday in Bridgwater, Somerset, on suspicion of conspiracy to cause misconduct in a public office and corruption.

They were questioned at a police station in Somerset and last night were bailed until a date in October.

This came as a 26-year-old man was arrested in Surrey as part of the Operation Weeting investigation into hacking of voicemail boxes.

The News International employee, who is not a journalist, was held on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He remains in custody.

The man is the 24th person arrested as part of Operation Weeting. Six people - including former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and her racehorse trainer husband Charlie - have been charged in connection with the inquiry.

Mrs Brooks faces three charges of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, while her husband is charged with one count of the same offence.

The couple are due to enter pleas when they appear at Southwark Crown Court in London on September 26.

On Wednesday another three people were arrested as part of Operation Elveden and later bailed.

Former Mirror journalist Greig Box-Turnbull, 37, a 46-year-old prison worker and a 50-year-old woman were held on suspicion of corruption, conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to cause misconduct in a public office.

All three were later released on bail until late October.

PA