A SENIOR official of a government body has been arrested as part of a police operation tackling online paedophiles.

The Argus can reveal Tony Smith, head of human resources at the Local Government Association, who lives in Brighton, was arrested by Sussex Police on suspicion of the distribution of indecent images of children.

A laptop, other computer related equipment and a mobile phone were also seized from the property in Montpelier Road as part of the investigation.

After interview Mr Smith has been released on police bail until September 23 while detectives from the Sussex Police Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team carry out further enquiries.

Mr Smith has worked at the Local Government Association, the authority which represents councils on a national level, for the past nine years and is paid a salary of more than £70,000 a year.

He has formerly worked for West Sussex County Council, the London Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Bromley as a senior education personnel officer.

He was arrested at the Brighton address on March 19.

The Local Government Association declined to comment on Mr Smith’s arrest and said they “would not comment on matters relating to an ongoing police investigation”.

They would also not confirm whether or not Mr Smith had been suspended from his position.

The Argus understands Mr Smith is currently on sick leave from the association.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “A 44-year old man was arrested at his address in Montpelier Road, Brighton, on Thursday, March 19, on suspicion of the distribution of indecent images of children.

“A laptop, other computer related equipment and a mobile phone were seized. After being interviewed he was released on police bail until September 23 while computer forensic and other enquiries are carried out.

“The arrest was made by officers from the Sussex Police Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT).”