British police have re-arrested former aide and editor for Rupert Murdoch, Rebakah Brooks, as part of an investigation into media phone-hacking by the press.

Brooks and her husband Charlie, a close friend of Prime Minster David Cameron, were arrested at their home Tuesday on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Police say four other people also were arrested on similar charges. News International, which operated Murdoch's British newspapers, confirmed the arrest of its head of security, Mark Hanna.

Murdoch shut down the 168-year-old News of the World tabloid last year after allegations staff and editors there got information by hacking into mobile phones and email accounts.

The victims range from celebrities to politicians and crime victims.

The 43-year-old Brooks resigned as chief executive of the newspaper in July shortly before her first arrest connected to different allegations.

Some 40 people have now been arrested as a result of probes into the illegal news gathering and bribery scandal. They include ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson, who also served as Prime Minister David Cameron's communications chief.

Police said no one has been charged as of yet in the bribery investigation.

Rupert Murdoch's media empire has agreed to pay large payouts to 37 phone-hacking victims, including British actor Jude Law, football player Ashley Cole and former deputy prime minister John Prescott.

The High Court in London has heard details of new settlements totaling about $1 million for illegal eavesdropping by Murdoch-owned tabloids on celebrities' phone conversations.