WANDERERS and Wasps owner Steve Hayes has been arrested.

The 50-year-old was arrested and taken to a west London police station on February 24 as part of Operation Tuleta, the Metropolitan Police's investigation set up to probe into alleged lawbreaking at News International.

Police confirmed the arrest is not connected to the activities of journalists.

A 51-year-old man was arrested in Surrey on the same day as part of the investigation and was also released on bail.

Both he and Hayes were detained on suspicion of committing offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "Operation Tuleta is investigating a number of allegations regarding breach of privacy which fall outside the remit of Operation Weeting, the Metropolitan Police Service inquiry into the phone-hacking of voicemail boxes.

"These arrests are not directly linked to any news organisation or the activities of journalists."

News broke of the arrest this afternoon on national websites.

Hayes, who is on bail and on holiday in Dubai, was unavailable for comment although Wasps did confirm his arrest when contacted by the Bucks Free Press today.

The club had no further comment to make.

Multi-millionaire Hayes became owner of Wanderers in 2009 after fans voted to hand control of the club - which he had previously been Managing Director of - to him.

The previous year he became owner of London Wasps rugby club.

Hayes made his millions through internet finance company Loans.co.uk, which at its peak employed 400 people at its Hertfordshire headquarters.