Sun defence editor bailed after arrest

The defence editor of the Sun newspaper has been arrested on suspicion of paying public officials for information.

Virginia Wheeler, 32, appeared at a London police station by appointment to answer questions related to evidence sent by News Corporation’s management standards committee to Scotland Yard.

Sun publisher News International confirmed Wheeler had been arrested..

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed a 32-year-old woman had been bailed until May.

Wheeler had been abroad on extended leave in recent months, a source said. Police are understood to have wanted to question her for several weeks.

She becomes the 23rd person to be arrested by officers working on Operation Elveden.

The arrest was made under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 on suspicion of aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office (contrary to common law) and conspiracy in relation to both offences.