THE man arrested in the hunt for missing RAF gunner Corrie McKeague served as a part-time cop — and works for the waste firm at the centre of the investigation, it can be revealed.

Haydn Stephens, commended for his role as a Special Constable, was quizzed on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

14 Former part-time cop Haydn Stephens has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice in the hunt for Corrie McKeague

The 26-year-old is a traffic dispatcher for waste management company Biffa.

A bin lorry operated by the firm collected from the area where Corrie, 23, was last seen after a night out in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

It is understood Stephens helps assign drivers to vehicles and collection routes.

14 Corrie, 23, was last seen in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, five months ago Credit: PA:Press Association

14 Police are preparing to dig for clues at a huge landfill site near Cambridge Credit: Fame Flynet

His identity emerged after Corrie’s family told of their fear several people could be covering up the disappearance of the serviceman, who was based at RAF Honington.

Mum Nicola Urquhart, 47, said: “It would be extremely disappointing if someone’s dishonesty has prevented us from finding Corrie.

“But at this stage we know very little so it’s not the time to speculate.”

14 Stephens returned home after being let out on bail Credit: East News Press Agency

14 The 26-year-old works for waste firm Biffa, which collected rubbish from the area Corrie was last seen

14 Corrie's girlfriend April Oliver, 21, is expecting their child Credit: NEWS LIMITED

Scotsman Corrie, whose girlfriend April Oliver, 21, is expecting their child, was last seen on CCTV walking into a dead end loading area at 3.25am on September 24.

The waste lorry made a collection shortly after and its route appeared to coincide with the movements of Corrie’s phone — but forensics found no trace of him in the vehicle.

Police preparing to search a landfill site at Milton, Cambs, where the bin lorry dumped its load have been delayed by the sheer scale of the task.

14 Corrie was captured on CCTV walking into a dead end loading area, and police believe he may have left in a lorry that made a collection shortly after

14 It's feared Corrie may be located in the landfill where the lorry dumped its load, though forensics found no trace of him in the vehicle Credit: GEOFF ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY

They have identified a search area covering more than 920sqm, with waste 8m deep.

A Suffolk Police spokeswoman admitted the dig, due to start on February 22, may not begin until next week.

But she said the delay was “in no way” connected to the recent arrest.

On Wednesday, after being bailed by police, Stephens was seen running into the home he shares in Bury St Edmunds with his fiancee and her parents.

14 Corrie's mum Nicola Urquhart, with April, said: 'It would be extremely disappointing if someone's dishonesty has prevented us from finding Corrie' Credit: PA:Press Association

14 Nicola has been heavily involved in the search efforts for her son Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

14 The RAF gunner didn't know his girlfriend was pregnant before he went missing Credit: Facebook

A man at the property said: “He’s innocent as far as we know.

“We all want this out of the way as quickly as possible.”

Last night his fiancee’s stepfather insisted: “It’s nothing to do with me, or my wife, or my stepdaughter.

“He left last night and he hasn’t been back since.

“This has been dropped on us like a bloody bombshell.

“We’re just honest people.”

14 Police believe this man is a potential witness in Corrie's disappearance Credit: PA:Press Association

14 Cops are also trying to track down this person, seen in the area where Cory disappeared Credit: PA:Press Association

14 Corrie had separated from his friends after a Friday night out, and failed to show up for work the following Monday Credit: Facebook

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Stephens’ family confirmed he had served as a Special Constable for Suffolk Police.

In 2013 he was awarded the Eileen Jacob Special Trophy.

He was praised for showing “true dedication” by putting in 33 hours over three days.

Suffolk Police refused to comment.

A spokesman for Biffa said: “As this is an ongoing investigation it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.”