British Labour Party MP Tom Watson broke the news via tweet that the Metropolitan police have confirmed to him they are investigating News International-owned The Times newspaper over email hacking.

Mr Watson, who is also a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said on Twitter: "The Met police have confirmed to me they are investigating [Rupert Murdoch's] newspaper The Times over email hacking."

Watson had written to the police last month asking if they would investigate the newspaper’s editor, James Harding after they admitted a reporter had accessed private emails without authorization.

A police spokesman told the BBC officers were in contact with Watson regarding the specific issues he seeks to raise, but said they would not provide “running commentary.”