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Sun royal editor Duncan Larcombe among Elveden charged Sun royal editor Duncan Larcombe among Elveden charged
(about 2 hours later)
The Sun's royal editor, an ex-instructor at Sandhurst, his wife, and a former pharmacy assistant at the Royal Military Academy, have been charged as part of Operation Elveden. The Sun's royal editor has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office over allegations he paid for stories about the Royal Family and Sandhurst Military Academy.
Sun journalist Duncan Larcombe is charged with a conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, along with John and Claire Hardy, the CPS said. Duncan Larcombe was charged along with John Hardy, a colour sergeant at the academy, and his wife Claire Hardy.
Tracy Bell has been charged with misconduct in public office. An ex-pharmacy assistant at Sandhurst Medical Centre, Tracy Bell, was charged with misconduct in public office.
They will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 8 May.They will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 8 May.
'Royal Family matters''Royal Family matters'
In a statement, the Crown Prosecution Service said John Hardy had served as a colour sergeant at the Royal Military Academy, where British army officers are trained. Mr Larcombe, Mr Hardy and his wife Claire were charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office between February 2006 and October 2008.
"It is alleged that from 10 February 2006 to 15 October 2008, 34 payments were made to either John Hardy or Claire Hardy totalling over £23,000 for stories relating mainly to the Royal Family or matters at Sandhurst," it said. It is alleged that between those dates 34 payments were made either to Mr Hardy or his wife totalling over £23,000 for stories relating mainly to the Royal Family or "matters at Sandhurst", the CPS said.
"In addition we have concluded that Tracy Bell should be charged with one count of misconduct in public office. Tracy Bell was employed by the Ministry of Defence as a pharmacy assistant at Sandhurst Medical Centre. Mr Harding had served at the Royal Military Academy where British army officers are trained.
"It is alleged that Tracy Bell received £1,250 between 17 October 2005 and 7 July 2006 relating to five articles published in The Sun regarding matters at Sandhurst." It is alleged Tracy Bell, who was employed by the Ministry of Defence as a pharmacy assistant at Sandhurst Medical Centre, accepted payments totalling £1,250 between October 2005 and July 2006 for five articles published in The Sun about Sandhurst, the CPS also announced.
It added that there was insufficient evidence to charge a second member of the public with any criminal offence. It added there was insufficient evidence to charge a second member of the public with any criminal offence.
In response to the news of Mr Larcombe being charged, News International's chief executive Mike Darcey wrote in a message to staff at The Sun that the company would provide Mr Larcombe and his family with support as he goes through the legal process. The charges are part of Operation Elveden which is investigating alleged corrupt payments to public officials.
News International's chief executive Mike Darcey wrote in a message to staff at The Sun that the company would provide Mr Larcombe and his family with support during the legal process.
"We will not pre-judge the outcome," Mr Darcey wrote."We will not pre-judge the outcome," Mr Darcey wrote.
"I appreciate this is a very troubling time for all of us that work with Duncan.""I appreciate this is a very troubling time for all of us that work with Duncan."
The charges come after a former police officer has been arrested as part of the investigation into alleged illegal payments by journalists to public officials. The charges come after a former police officer was arrested as part of the investigation into alleged illegal payments by journalists to public officials.
The 41-year-old man, who used to be in the Surrey Police force, was arrested at his home in Sussex at 06:00 BST as part of Operation Elveden.The 41-year-old man, who used to be in the Surrey Police force, was arrested at his home in Sussex at 06:00 BST as part of Operation Elveden.
He is being interviewed at a Sussex police station on suspicion of misconduct in public office.He is being interviewed at a Sussex police station on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He becomes the 62nd person to be arrested during the investigation.He becomes the 62nd person to be arrested during the investigation.
Of those arrested, 13 have or will face court action. They include four former police officers and seven journalists. Operation Elveden is running alongside Operation Weeting, the investigation into allegations of phone hacking, and Operation Tuleta, which is looking at computer hacking and other privacy breaches.
Operation Elveden is running alongside Operation Weeting, the investigation into allegations of phone hacking and Operation Tuleta, which is looking at computer hacking and other privacy breaches.