The deputy chief constable of Surrey Police is being investigated over claims that he failed to act over the hacking of schoolgirl Milly Dowler’s phone.

Surrey Police was aware that Milly Dowler’s phone was hacked by someone working for the News of the World (NotW) in 2002, the force’s chief has said.

The police watchdog is investigating claims that a police officer based in Surry, England gave information about the Milly Dowler murder probe to the News of the World.

Britain's police watchdog is investigating claims that a Surrey Police officer gave information about the Milly Dowler murder probe to the News of the World, it said today.

A detective investigating the murder of schoolgirl Milly Dowler was removed from the case for leaking information, Surrey Police confirmed today.