Arrest is sixth made by detectives working in Operation Elveden, which is investigating alleged payments to police officers

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

A 48-year-old man has been arrested as part of Scotland Yard's investigation into alleged payments to police officers by newspapers.

The arrest at 10.30am on Friday is the sixth made by detectives working in Operation Elveden, which was set up in July following allegations that police officers had received up to £130,000 over several years from the News of the World for information, including contact details of the royal family.

The Guardian understands the man arrested is not a policeman. It is also understood that the person is a current employee of News International.

Scotland Yard said he was arrested outside London and brought to a south-west London station.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: "He was arrested outside London on suspicion of corruption allegations in contravention of section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906, and is being brought to a south-west London police station."

Operation Elveden is one of three Met investigations relating to alleged illegal activities by newspapers. The others are Operation Weeting and Operation Tuleta, set up to examine phone hacking and computer hacking, respectively.

On Thursday, Scotland Yard confirmed to the Guardian that the number of people whose phones may have been hacked had reached 5,800 – 2,000 more than previously stated.

So far 16 people have been arrested and bailed on allegations of phone hacking.

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