Journalist held in phone hacking investigation

A 33-year-old journalist was arrested today by police investigating the alleged hacking of stolen mobile phones.

The man was held this morning after going to a police station in south London by appointment.

He was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Theft Act, Computer Misuse Act and on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and remains in custody.

Scotland Yard said the arrest related to an alleged conspiracy to access information on stolen mobile phones.

The man is the 12th person to be arrested under Operation Tuleta, the Met inquiry into computer hacking and other privacy breaches.

It is being run alongside two other operations - Elveden, which is looking at alleged corrupt payments to public officials, and Weeting, which is looking at alleged phone hacking.

So far 43 people have been arrested under Elveden and 25 under Weeting.

Earlier this week Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, the officer in charge of the inquiries, told MPs that the three investigations could cost £40 million over four years.

PA