Police bail man who leaked VIP protection costs

A man arrested on suspicion of leaking details of the cost of protecting VIPs has been bailed, police said today.

His arrest is believed to relate to recent media stories which detailed the expenses claims of people employed to protect the likes of former prime minister Tony Blair.

Officers from the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards arrested the 27-year-old yesterday on suspicion of breaching Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act.

Police said the man was a former contractor to the Metropolitan Police.

He was taken to a central London police station and then bailed to return on October 29.

Earlier this month, the Mail on Sunday revealed claims made by the team of officers who protect Mr Blair around the clock.

The paper claimed the bodyguards cost the taxpayer £250,000 a year.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has also announced a shake-up in the way high-profile figures were protected by the force.