The country’s two top police chiefs are being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, just hours after they both resigned.
The independent body said they were looking into claims made about Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson and assistant commissioner John Yates.
John Yates, who resigned on Monday, is being investigated for helping the daughter of Neil Wallis, the former News of The World deputy editor turned police PR consultant to the Met, get a job. Yates will also be investigated for his conduct during the investigation into allegations of phone hacking at the Sunday tabloid.
The IPPC is also looking into claims about two other former senior Metropolitan Police officers.
In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “The role of the Met Police in its original investigation into phone hacking has rightly come under huge public scrutiny.
"These matters are already the subject of a judge-led public inquiry announced on 13 July which is looking into the way in which police investigated allegations of conduct by persons connected to News International.”
The IPPC said they would investigate the evidence “without fear or favour” and cautioned against rushing to a judgment.
Both Sir Paul and John Yates deny any inpropriety.