New "key" arrest in UK phone hacking scandal involving Murdoch's News of the World

(CBS/AP) LONDON - British police have reportedly arrested former News of the World executive Stuart Kuttner in their ongoing investigation of phone hacking and police bribery at the defunct tabloid.

The Metropolitan Police said a 71-year-old man was arrested by appointment Tuesday morning at a London police station.

Sky News, which is 39 percent owned by the newspaper's parent company, News Corp., identified Kuttner as a "key" figure in the phone hacking scandal.

Kuttner retired in 2009 after 29 years at the News of the World, 22 of them as managing editor.

He is in custody and being questioned on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications and suspicion of corruption.

Detectives investigating claims the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper illegally eavesdropped on the phone messages of celebrities, politicians and even crime victims, have previously arrested several former executives of News Corp., including British newspaper chief Rebekah Brooks.

All have been released on bail and no one has yet been charged in the probe.

Special Section: Murdoch in Crisis
James Murdoch asked to clarify hacking testimony
Murdoch pie-thrower convicted of assault in U.K.