Two men have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police today as part of the restarted investigation into voicemail "hacking".

The Operation Weeting team arrested a man aged 50 and another aged 42 when they arrived at separate police stations in southwest London.

The two men are still in custody, being questioned on suspicion of breaking RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) and conspiring to intercept communications in breach of the Criminal Law Act 1971. The Met said it would be inappropriate to comment beyond confirming those facts.

The two were named by the Guardian as Ian Edmondson, former head of news at the News of the World and Neville Thurlbeck, the tabloid's chief reporter.

It is expected that their homes will be searched later today before they are released.

Edmondson was suspended in January over allegations that he was involved in listening to celebs' voicemails without permission. The story stretches back to 2005, when Andy Coulson was editor.

Coulson resigned as Prime Minister David Cameron's communications adviser because he was concerned he was becoming the story. ®

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