No action against Sun crime editor Mike Sullivan following 'corrupt payments' arrest

The crime editor of the Sun will face no further action after he was arrested as part of Scotland Yard's investigation into alleged corrupt payments to public officials, the force said today.

Mike Sullivan, 49, was held under Operation Elveden on January 28 last year and had been due to answer bail at a police station in north London tomorrow.

The journalist, who was arrested at the same time as three other current and former journalists from the tabloid, welcomed the decision.

But he said: "I feel sadness that colleagues are still in the same predicament over the last 14 months, but hopefully they will find a successful resolution."

A News International spokesman said: "We can confirm that the police have concluded that no further action is to be taken against Mike Sullivan - the Sun's distinguished crime editor.

"After more than a year of uncertainty we are pleased that Mike can now carry on with his work without this distraction. We are grateful to him and others for the professionalism they have shown under very difficult circumstances."

So far 61 people have been arrested under Operation Elveden, Scotland Yard's investigation into alleged inappropriate payments to public officials.

Of these, 12 people, including four former police officers, six journalists and two other public officials, have or will face court action.

PA