Controversial former council boss Rod Hills has been arrested again by detectives, it emerged today.

Police would only say a 56-year-old man had been arrested in connection with an on-going inquiry but declined to say who he was or what was being investigated.

However it is understood the man was Mr Hills, a York University lecturer and the former leader of the City of York Council, and that he as later released on bail.

Mr Hills was arrested last year on a series of allegations but was later sensationally cleared of the charges which included including blackmail, witness intimidation, perverting the course of justice, soliciting a woman for prostitution and wasting police time.

Councillor Hills resigned his position as leader of the council after he was first arrested by police last year.

He retained his position as a ward councillor and remains a member of the Labour party however he has said he was considering leaving the party because of the way he felt he was treated by the organisation.

He had been council leader since 1984, and led the council through its transition to a unitary authority formed in 1995. He was made an MBE for his service to politics.

His wife, Carol Wallace, was also a Labour councillor for the Bishophill ward of City of York Council until her tragic death in a fall at the couple's home shortly before Christmas 2000. . .