Rebekah Brooks was arrested in London at noon today by detectives investigating the News of the World phone hacking scandal and payments to police.The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they have arrested a 43-year-old woman in connection with allegations of phone hacking and corruption.
Brooks was arrested by detectives from both Operation Weeting, which is dealing with the phone hacking scandal that saw thousands of people's voicemail messages illegally acessed, as well as Operation Elveden, the investigation into alleged payments to corrupt officers.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman told the Daily Telegraph: "At approximately 12.00 hrs a 43-year-old woman was arrested by appointment at a London police station by officers from Operation Weeting together with officers from Operation Elveden. She is currently in custody.
"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.
"It would be inappropriate to discuss any further details regarding these cases at this time."
Rebekah Brooks, who edited the News of the World from 2000-2003, resigned from her position as chief executive of News International on Friday, apparently securing a £3.5m pay-off in the process.
Ten people have now been arrested in connection with the scandal, including Brooks's former deputy Andy Coulson, who was taken in last Friday.
At a select committee hearing in March 2003, Rebekah Brooks - then editor of The Sun - admitted to paying police for information and said that journalists were entitled to use covert methods if the story had a strong public interest.