Chief reporter and assistant editor at News of World arrested over phone hacking

The chief reporter at the News of The World and the former assistant editor have been arrested on suspicion of mobile phone hacking.

Neville Thurlbeck, the News of the World's chief reporter, and Ian Edmondson, a former assistant editor who was recently sacked over the affair, were questioned after presenting themselves at separate London police stations.

The arrests came as Sienna Miller, the actress, won a High Court order for access to the mobile phone records of third parties that may assist her claim for damages. They were the first since Scotland Yard reopened its investigation into widespread claims of hacking at the Sunday newspaper.

Mr Edmondson, 42, was sacked in January after emails were discovered that allegedly suggested he was aware of the hacking.

Transcripts of voicemail messages obtained by private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were said to have been sent via email under the heading "This is the transcript for Neville", a possible reference to Mr Thurlbeck, 50.

The men were held on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications and unlawfully intercepting voicemail messages. They were released on police bail to return in September. It is understood that their homes were also searched. Both deny any wrongdoing.

(Published by The Telegraph - April 5, 2011)