The former managing editor of the News of the World was arrested yesterday on suspicion of phone hacking and inappropriate payments to police, according to reports.
A 71-year-old man was released on bail yesterday after being questioned at a north London police station, Scotland Yard said. He is thought to be Stuart Kuttner, 71, who resigned as the newspaper’s managing editor in July 2009.
Mr Kuttner has previously denied his decision to quit shortly before the Guardian disclosed the News of the World paid out more than £1 million to settle cases which threatened to reveal evidence of alleged phone-hacking was related to the issue.
At the time of his resignation, he was described by then-editor Colin Myler as a man whose “DNA is absolutely integrated into the newspaper which he has represented across the media with vigour”.
He was an “outstanding managing editor” who was “a major driving force behind the success of Sarah’s Law”, Mr Myler said.
Officers from Operation Weeting, who investigate phone hacking, and Operation Elveden, who investigate inappropriate payments to police, made the arrest, Scotland Yard said.
Mr Kuttner is the 11th person to be arrested since Scotland Yard’s fresh investigation into phone hacking was launched in January.
These include a series of high-profile figures, including former News International chief executive officeer Rebekah Brooks and former Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson.
The scandal has already caused the closure of the News of the World after 168 years and the resignation of two top police officers.