Porn probe claims civil servant scalps

More than 220 civil servants have been disciplined - with 16 being sacked - for downloading porn onto their work systems within the Department of Work and Pensions.

According to reports one person has been prosecuted in relation to the offences, which included the downloading of pornographic images of child abuse onto Department computers.

The sweeping disciplinary action is the result of a lengthy investigation into the improper use of internet and email within the vast government department, which employs 140,000 staff.

A spokesman for the DWP told silicon.com the Department regularly scans its systems to detect inappropriate materials on its network and said when any is discovered "disciplinary action will be taken and that can lead to a criminal prosecution".

The spokesman confirmed 16 Department staff have been sacked for "gross misconduct" that contravened the Department's internet and email usage policy.

The Sun newspaper claims that a total of more than two million pages of pornographic content were downloaded by staff within the DWP.