Rebekah Brooks arrested in hacking investigation

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks was arrested today on suspicion of phone hacking and corruption, her spokesman confirmed.

The 43-year-old was arrested by appointment at a London police station at around midday and remains in custody.

Her spokesman said: "She voluntarily attended a London police station to assist the investigation.

"This was a pre-arranged appointment."

She was arrested by detectives from Operation Weeting - the Scotland Yard investigation into mobile interceptions by News International - with officers from Operation Elveden, the inquiry into allegations of inappropriate payments to police.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The MPS has this afternoon, Sunday July 17, arrested a female in connection with allegations of corruption and phone hacking.

"At approximately 12pm a 43-year-old woman was arrested by appointment at a London police station by officers from Operation Weeting together with officers from Operation Elveden. She is currently in custody."

Ms Brooks was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications and on suspicion of corruption.

The former Sun and News of the World editor resigned as News International chief executive on Friday to avoid distracting attention from the company's efforts to "fix the problems of the past".

This is the 10th arrest Scotland Yard has made since the fresh investigation into phone hacking was launched in January.