Police investigating allegations of phone hacking have raided the offices of the Daily Star a police source has said. Investigations into hacking have so far centred on the News of the World newspaper. The Star is owned by businessman Richard Desmond and is not connected to News Corp, the owner of News of the World.

Police investigating allegations of phone hacking by tabloid journalists are now searching the offices of the Daily Star, a police source said.

Investigations into hacking have so far centred on the News of the World newspaper, owned by tycoon Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

The raid on the offices of the Star, owned by businessman Richard Desmond, marks the first time the investigation into allegations of mobile phone voicemail hacking has moved beyond the News of the World. The story comes after the News of the World's former royal editor Clive Goodman, 53, who now works for the Daily Star Sunday, was held after a dawn swoop by police at his home in Surrey. Goodman was re-arrested Friday on suspicion of making illegal payoffs to police for information.

The news comes just hours after it was announced that the Metropolitan Police had arrested Andy Coulson arrested in connection with phone hacking and illegal payments to corrupt police officers

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that former editor of the News of the World Andy Coulson has been arrested. The former Communications director chief for David Cameron has been arrested by detectives investigating alleged phone hacking and illegal payments to police.

Andy Coulson, 43, was arrested by appointment at a South London police station this morning at around 10.30 am and remains in police custody.

Mr Coulson has been arrested in connection with the inquiry into alleged phone hacking - Operation Weeting as well as Operation Eleveden - the alleged illegal payments to a handful of corrupt police officers. It has been alleged that the News of the World under the editorship of Andy Coulson paid these officers up to £100,000 for tip offs and information.

More to follow

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