Man held in phone hacking probe

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice and phone hacking at the News of the World.

The suspect is being questioned over the two allegations today after attending a north London police station by appointment.

The arrest comes days after the axed Sunday tabloid's former managing editor Stuart Kuttner was rearrested as part of the long-running investigation.

He is the 15th suspect arrested on suspicion of phone hacking since Operation Weeting, Scotland Yard's fresh investigation into phone hacking, was launched in January.

The man was arrested shortly after noon.

"The man, aged 30, was arrested by appointment at a North London Police Station," a Scotland Yard spokesman said. "He is currently in police custody."

A series of high-profile figures have been arrested, including former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and ex-Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson.

The scandal has already caused the closure of the News of the World after 168 years and the resignation of Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson and Assistant Commissioner John Yates.

PA