Former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis has been questioned again by police after previously being cleared by the phone-hacking investigation, The Independent reports today.
Wallis, 63, spent 20 months on police bail between 2011 and 2013 only be told finally that no charges would be brought in February last year. Press Gazette understands that he was spoken to again by police in October for an hour, but he was not arrested or charged with any offence.
A source close to Wallis told Press Gazette that he thought it was "spiteful and vindictive" for him to targeted again by police some two and a half years after his first arrest.
Press Gazette understands that he is one of a number of journalists to be questioned by police in recent months in what appears to be a change in tactics. Previously those suspected of involvement in hacking or illegal payments have been arrested at 6am with a dawn raid on their house which has been the subject of a press release.
Related
At least 61 journalists have been arrested since 2011 as a result of police investigations into allegations of hacking and illegal payments.
An unknown further number of journalists have been surreptitiously questioned by police.
In November a figure connected with the News of the World was arrested, but no report was made in the press on the advice of the judge in a trial (although no order was made).
At least 61 journalists have been arrested since 2011 as a result of police investigations into allegations of hacking and illegal payments.
The Met Police said that a 63-year-old former journalist attended a West London police station on 15 October by appointment: “He was interviewed under caution in connection with suspicion of conspiracy to illegally intercept voicemails. He was not arrested.”
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