Operation Elveden probe into inappropriate payments ends

A multi-million pound investigation into allegations of inappropriate payments by journalists to police and public officials has closed, Scotland Yard has said.

Operation Elveden was set up in June 2011 after allegations of phone hacking emerged during parliamentary committees and the Leveson Inquiry into press ethics and practices.

In total, 34 people have been convicted as a result - nine police officers and 21 public officials.

The operation was brought to a close after a serving prison officer who had been arrested in September 2015 for misconduct in a public office was told on Wednesday that he would face no further action.

Operation Elveden is reported to have cost nearly £15 million.