A former News of the World editor, Alex Marunchak, based in Dublin, was involved in potentially sensitive work for Scotland Yard while working at the newspaper.

Marunchak, the newspaper's Ireland editor, was employed by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) at Scotland Yard, as a Ukrainian interpreter. He had access to highly sensitive information.

In 2006 Marunchak left Rupert Murdoch's News International, after 25 years with the company. In March, the British investigative TV program, "Panorama" alleged that between 1996 and 2006 Marunchak has hired a private investigator to conduct hacking according to the Belfast Telegraph.

The TV show also named him as the News of the World executive who hired an expert to plant spying software on Ian Hurst's computer. Hurst was involved in the exposure of the former IRA interrogator Freddie Scappaticci, as a British spy.

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With relation to his interpreting work Scotland Yard released a statement. It confirmed that he worked with the police from 1980 to 2000. The police also acknowledged that his involvement in police matters "may cause concern".  They added that their professions may be "incompatible" with such a sensitive job.

The Met's language services are looking into the matter. Marunchak worked a total of 27 hours for the Met. The Met said "Interpreters are vetted by the MPS and all sign the Official Secrets Act. They are employed on a freelance, self-employed basis."

Marunchak has previously denied any involvement in the hacking scandal.