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Rebekah Brooks arrested over phone-hacking

Rebekah Brooks arrested over phone-hacking

By Ian Dunt

Rebekah Brooks has been arrested over phone-hacking, introducing a new dimension to the scandal that has dominated British politics for a fortnight.

The Met police confirmed that a 43-year old woman was arrested by appointment at round 12:00 BST at a London police station by officers from Operation Weetingm the phone-hacking investigation, together with officers from Operation Elveden, which is looking into payments to the police from media sources.

The Met statement read: "She was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications, contrary to Section1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977 and on suspicion of
corruption allegations contrary to Section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906."

Ms Brooks is currently in custody. she is the 10th person to be arrested in connection to the investigation into allegations of phone hacking at the News of the World.

The surprise move complicates Ms Brooks appearance before the culture, media and sport select committee this Tuesday.

The former News of the World editor will be likely to avoid several lines of questioning on the basis of its affect on the ongoing criminal investigation, especially if she is charged.

As news of the arrest spread on the internet, some began to suggest that the police may have opted to arrest Ms Brooks now to stop her commenting on police payments on Tuesday.

It was at a previous appearance before the culture, media and sport committee that Ms Brooks originally admitted payments from the News of the World to the police for stories.

The arrest is also likely to lead to questions about whether News International executives knew about Ms Brooks upcoming arrest when she resigned on Friday. Executives at News International quickly stated that they had no idea the arrest would occur when she resigned.