Elveden inquiry: Police hold former prison officer in payments probe

A former prison officer was arrested today by detectives investigating alleged corrupt payments to public officials, police said.

The 39-year-old man was arrested at his home in Waltham Forest, north-east London, at about 6am on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and corruption, Scotland Yard said.

He is the 66th person arrested under Operation Elveden, Scotland Yard's investigation into alleged inappropriate payments by journalists to public officials.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Officers from Operation Elveden arrested a man at his home in the London borough of Waltham Forest this morning, 6 June.

"The 39-year-old man (Elveden arrest 66) is a former prison officer.

"He was arrested at approximately 0600hrs for suspected misconduct in a public office and suspected corruption and is being interviewed at an east London police station."

PA