A LANCASHIRE detective who was unmasked as the writer of an anonymous blog by a journalist working for The Times is set to sue the paper, it has been confirmed.

Det Con Richard Horton was working for the force’s Eastern division when it was revealed he was the officer behind the Nightjack blog.

But it emerged at the Leveson Inquiry into press standards that ex-Times reporter Patrick Foster had hacked into the detective’s e-mails in 2009.

Mr Horton, who now works for the constabulary in Leyland, has lodged claims for breach of confidence, misuse of private information and deceit against Times Newspapers.

He is seeking ‘aggravated and exemplary damages’ against the publisher, according to his London-based lawyers Taylor Hampton.

Mr Horton filed an injunction, attempting to block publication of information gleaned through the hacked e-mails, which The Times contested and won.

The detective later received a written warning over his conduct from Lancashire Police.