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Sun deputy editor charged over alleged payments to public officials Sun deputy editor charged over alleged payments to public officials
(about 2 hours later)
Geoff Webster, the deputy editor of the Sun, has been charged over alleged criminal offences relating to payments of £8,000 to two public officials, the crown prosecution service has said. Geoff Webster, the deputy editor of the Sun, has been charged over alleged criminal offences relating to payments of £8,000 to two public officials.
Webster was charged on Wednesday with two counts of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office during 2010 and 2011.Webster was charged on Wednesday with two counts of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office during 2010 and 2011.
"The first offence relates to allegations that Mr Webster, between July 2010 and August 2011, authorised payments totalling £6,500 for information supplied by a public official to one of his journalists," the CPS said. "The first offence relates to allegations that Mr Webster, between July 2010 and August 2011, authorised payments totalling £6,500 for information supplied by a public official to one of his journalists," the Crown Prosecution Service said.
"The second offence relates to an allegation that in November 2010, Mr Webster authorised a payment of £1,500 for information provided by an unknown public official.""The second offence relates to an allegation that in November 2010, Mr Webster authorised a payment of £1,500 for information provided by an unknown public official."
Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the director of public prosecutions, said the decisions arose from Operation Elveden investigations, the Metropolitan police inquiry into allegations of unlawful provision of information to journalists by public officials. Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the director of public prosecutions, said the decisions arose from Operation Elveden, the Metropolitan police's investigation into allegations of unlawful provision of information to journalists by public officials.
"We have concluded, following a careful review of the evidence, that Geoff Webster, who at the time of the alleged offending was deputy editor of the Sun newspaper, should be charged with two offences of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977," she said."We have concluded, following a careful review of the evidence, that Geoff Webster, who at the time of the alleged offending was deputy editor of the Sun newspaper, should be charged with two offences of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977," she said.
He is due to appear before Westminster magistrates' court on 26 March 2013. He is due to appear before Westminster magistrates court on 26 March 2013.
The chief executive of News International, Mike Darcey, told staff in an internal email that Webster was a "long-standing and valued colleague". He said the company would be supporting him throughout the legal process. "We will not prejudge the outcome." The chief executive of News International, Mike Darcey, told staff in an internal email that Webster was a "long-standing and valued colleague". He said the company would be supporting him throughout the legal process and added: "We will not prejudge the outcome."
In a bid to boost morale at the paper, where 24 staff have been arrested following the handing over of internal emails to the police, he said: "Producing Britain's most popular paper is a daily challenge, let alone in such difficult conditions, I am grateful to all of you for resilience and dedication." In an attempt to boost morale at the paper, where 24 staff have been arrested following the handing over of internal emails to the police, he said: "Producing Britain's most popular paper is a daily challenge, let alone in such difficult conditions. I am grateful to all of you for resilience and dedication."
Webster was arrested in February last year, along with four other Sun employees – one of whom, chief reporter John Kay, has already been charged. The CPS said it was making no further immediate announcements on charging decisions in the remaining three cases. Webster was arrested in February last year, along with four other Sun employees. One of that group, chief reporter John Kay, has already been charged. The CPS said it was making no further immediate announcements on charging decisions in the remaining three cases.
One charge Webster faces relates to a Ministry of Defence official for whom payment of £6,500 was allegedly authorised by him on behalf of another Sun journalist.One charge Webster faces relates to a Ministry of Defence official for whom payment of £6,500 was allegedly authorised by him on behalf of another Sun journalist.
The Metropolitan police have expanded their Operation Elveden investigation beyond alleged bribes paid to public officials. The Met is now investigating the passing of "confidential" information to journalists where no money is involved.The Metropolitan police have expanded their Operation Elveden investigation beyond alleged bribes paid to public officials. The Met is now investigating the passing of "confidential" information to journalists where no money is involved.
Webster is the fourth journalist at the newspaper to be charged since the Elveden investigation was launched following the decision by News International owner News Corporation to co-operate with the police and hand over 300m internal emails. Webster is the fourth journalist at the newspaper to be charged since the Elveden investigation was launched, following the decision by News International owner News Corporation to co-operate with the police and hand over 300m internal emails.
Last year, the paper's former editor Rebekah Brooks, who was in charge between 2003 and 2009, and Kay were charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. Kay pleaded not guilty to the offence earlier this month. Last year, the paper's former editor, Rebekah Brooks, who was in charge between 2003 and 2009, and Kay were charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. Kay pleaded not guilty earlier this month.
In January, the paper's defence editor, Virginia Wheeler, was also charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. In January, the paper's defence editor, Virginia Wheeler, was also charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.
Webster brings the number of people charged under Operation Elveden to 12.Webster brings the number of people charged under Operation Elveden to 12.
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