LONDON: Five staff members at Britain's largest-selling tabloid The Sun have been arrested along with three other people over alleged bribes paid to police and defence officials, detectives and News Corp say.

News Corp stated that police had searched the homes and offices of the five staff members.

A police officer, a female employee at the Ministry of Defence and a 36-year-old member of the armed forces were also arrested.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the people were detained following information provided to detectives by the management standards committee of News Corp.

The committee ''will continue to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to protect legitimate journalistic privilege and sources, private or personal information and legal privilege,'' News Corp said.

Police said the investigation relates to alleged corrupt payments made to police officers and other officials by journalists. It is part of police investigations sparked by Britain's phone hacking scandal.

Associated Press