Ex-NOTW Man Held Over 'Witness Intimidation'

Former News Of The World chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck has been arrested by detectives investigating phone hacking on suspicion of intimidating a witness.

Thurlbeck was questioned on suspicion of encouraging or assisting an offence before being released on police bail.

He was previously held as part of Operation Weeting on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications in April last year.

His latest detention came a day after former Sun editor Rebekah Brooks, her husband Charlie, and four other suspects were arrested over allegations of cover-ups surrounding the inquiry.

A Scotland Yard statement said: "A 51-year-old man was arrested by appointment at a central London police station at approximately 4pm today by officers from Operation Weeting, the MPS inquiry into the phone hacking of voicemails.

"He is bailed to return to a south west London police station in May this year in relation to the arrest in April."

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Following his release, Thurlbeck wrote on his blog: "One minute I was sitting penning a new post. The next, I was in the police station, having DNA mouth swabs and my fingerprints and police mugshot taken.

"A compaint had been made and acted upon very swiftly indeed. It really didn't feel like England today!"

He did not appear upset by his arrest, pointing out that Scotland Yard got his age wrong and saying: "I am a mere 50 years old and not the prehistoric 51 they insist I am!"

He added: "I vigorously deny the allegations of any wrongdoing, which seem extremely far-fetched to me and I will continue with my blog and my work regardless of today's events. I will be issuing no further statement on this matter in the immediate future."

Thurlbeck has earlier claimed that he refused a police offer to give evidence against his ex-employer News International.

He said detectives asked him to become a prosecution witness after seizing documents from his home.

Evidence taken from his property after his first arrest last April indicated that he warned senior colleagues two years ago about hacking, he said.

Thurlbeck said detectives hoped he would become a key witness in return for potential immunity from prosecution. But he said he had turned down the offer.

He said in November: "I have informed Scotland Yard that while I fully understand and respect the reason for their request of me to give evidence for the Crown in any prosecution arising from Operation Weeting, it is my opinion that a detailed and forensic inquiry into my working methods by what is a highly professional police unit will fully exonerate me. So, on that basis, I have declined their offer."

Thurlbeck has also previously lodged a claim for unfair dismissal against News International.