2:32PM, Wed Oct 17, 2012

Exclusive: Newcastle Businessman Arrested In Phone Hacking Investigation

By Andy Hughes Location: Newcastle

A man has been arrested at a Newcastle business as part of a nationwide investigation into the phone hacking scandal.

Officers investigating criminal breaches of privacy arrested the 48-year-old at around 10am on Wednesday, October 17, in connection with offences relating to "business espionage".

The suspect, from Northumberland, is being questioned by detectives as part of Operation Tuleta.

The operation is the Metropolitan Police investigation into computer hacking related to the phone hacking scandal.

He is being held at a Northumberland Police Station on suspicion of conspiracy to commit offences under Sections 1 and 3 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and Sections 1 and 2 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Searches are being carried out at the business premises where he was arrested, in the Newcastle area, and his home address in Northumberland.

A Met Police spokesman said the arrest relates to suspected business espionage and that it is not directly linked to any news organisation or the activities of journalists.