Three held over royal phone tapping

Three men have been arrested for allegedly intercepting phone calls after staff at Clarence House reported alleged security breaches within its telephone network, police said.

The three - aged 35, 48 and 50 - include a member of staff at News International, thought to be a reporter.

Scotland Yard's Royalty Protection unit was alerted by three members of the Royal Household at Clarence House - the official residence of the Prince of Wales - in December last year.

The investigation was passed to the force's Anti-Terrorism Branch which begun an investigation resulting in the arrests.