Ex-NOTW journalist held in computer-hacking inquiry

Two men, understood to be a former senior journalist at the News of the World and a private detective, were arrested yesterday as part of a Scotland Yard investigation into computer hacking.

The two men – who are believed to be Alex Marunchak, the defunct tabloid newspaper's former Ireland editor, and Jonathan Rees, a private investigator – were detained at their homes shortly before 7am, according to sources.

Both men were arrested by officers from Operation Kalmyk, an investigation into computer hacking linked to journalism which is being carried out under the auspices of a wider inquiry – Tuleta – into illegal newsgathering.

A 58-year-old man, understood to be Mr Rees, was arrested in Surrey while a 61-year-old man, understood to be Mr Marunchak, was detained in Kent. They were being questioned at separate locations in south London and Kent on suspicion of offences under the Computer Misuse Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. Police said searches were also being carried out at the homes of the men.

Operation Tuleta is being run in tandem with two other investigations, Operation Weeting into phone hacking and Operation Elveden, an inquiry into allegations of corrupt payments by journalists to public officials.