Cabinet Office worker is questioned over leaks to newspaper

A woman working at the Cabinet Office has been arrested and is being questioned about a series of damaging leaks of confidential government papers to The Sunday Times.

A woman working at the Cabinet Office has been arrested and is being questioned about a series of damaging leaks of confidential government papers to The Sunday Times.

These included revelations about the private concerns within Whitehall about America's post-war strategy and the cabinet split over the decision by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, to introduce ID cards

Police detained the 23-year-old woman on Monday on suspicion of stealing documents, a spokesman at Scotland Yard said. "She was released on police bail pending further inquiries and is due back to a central London police station in November."

News of a hunt for the person responsible for the leaks was itself leaked to The Sunday Times last month. The newspaper said that Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, had called in Sir David Omand, the government's intelligence and security co-ordinator, to oversee the investigation. Among the newspaper stories that prompted fears of a mole within government included a report that Tim Henman the tennis player was given an OBE to "add interest" to the New Year Honours list.

The Cabinet Office declined to comment on the arrest. Officers have searched the woman's London home.

While she is under investigation in connection with the theft of the documents, she may also face questioning in relation to alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Act.