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Phone-hacking trial: Sources 'were not police officers' Phone-hacking trial: Sources 'were not police officers'
(35 minutes later)
Ex-News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman pretended some of his sources were police officers to make them seem "more important", a court has heard.Ex-News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman pretended some of his sources were police officers to make them seem "more important", a court has heard.
Mr Goodman told the Old Bailey he misrepresented the identities of sources to then editor Andy Coulson to speed up payments to them for stories.Mr Goodman told the Old Bailey he misrepresented the identities of sources to then editor Andy Coulson to speed up payments to them for stories.
But there was "no truth" in prosecution claims he had given money to officers for royal phone books, Mr Goodman said.But there was "no truth" in prosecution claims he had given money to officers for royal phone books, Mr Goodman said.
The 56-year-old denies conspiring to commit misconduct in public office.The 56-year-old denies conspiring to commit misconduct in public office.
Mr Coulson, who is also on trial, denies conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office as well as a charge of conspiracy to hack phones.Mr Coulson, who is also on trial, denies conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office as well as a charge of conspiracy to hack phones.
'No truth whatsoever''No truth whatsoever'
Asked by his lawyer David Spens QC about alleged illegal payments to police officers, Mr Goodman said he had exaggerated the status of his sources because the NoW was "an enormously competitive world".Asked by his lawyer David Spens QC about alleged illegal payments to police officers, Mr Goodman said he had exaggerated the status of his sources because the NoW was "an enormously competitive world".
"If editors thought that your sources were more important than they were... it was a good way to get your stories into the paper," Mr Goodman told the court."If editors thought that your sources were more important than they were... it was a good way to get your stories into the paper," Mr Goodman told the court.
He said it also made it more likely that payments would be agreed for his sources.He said it also made it more likely that payments would be agreed for his sources.
The court heard that in one email to Mr Coulson, Mr Goodman wrote that "one of our palace cops has got hold of one of the palace phone books", and he asked the editor to agree a cash payment.The court heard that in one email to Mr Coulson, Mr Goodman wrote that "one of our palace cops has got hold of one of the palace phone books", and he asked the editor to agree a cash payment.
Asked if it was indeed a police officer, Mr Goodman replied: "No, he wasn't".Asked if it was indeed a police officer, Mr Goodman replied: "No, he wasn't".
He added that he had made the claim "to make sure my sources were going to get paid".He added that he had made the claim "to make sure my sources were going to get paid".
When Mr Spens asked if there was any truth in the prosecution claim that he was paying police officers, Mr Goodman insisted: "No, no truth in that whatsoever."When Mr Spens asked if there was any truth in the prosecution claim that he was paying police officers, Mr Goodman insisted: "No, no truth in that whatsoever."
Two sources, who he had given the false names Anderson and Farish, were actually other journalists or worked on newspapers, Mr Goodman told the jury.Two sources, who he had given the false names Anderson and Farish, were actually other journalists or worked on newspapers, Mr Goodman told the jury.
Earlier, Mr Goodman told the trial that friends and employees of the Royal Family - as well as members of the Royal Family themselves - had given him information. The jury has previously been told of Mr Goodman's 2007 conviction for phone hacking.
He told the court that his phone hacking activities went beyond what he had previously admitted, however.
In 2006 he pleaded guilty to hacking into the voicemails of three members of the royal household between November 2005 and August 2006.
The Old Bailey heard on Monday that he had also hacked the phones of three people earlier in 2005, including an equerry who had not been listed on the original charges.
'Royal sources'
Earlier, Mr Goodman told the trial that friends and employees of the Royal Family - as well as members of the Royal Family themselves - had given him information in the past.
They included the Prince of Wales' former deputy principal private secretary and press secretary Mark Bolland, who Mr Goodman claimed had been an important source of information.They included the Prince of Wales' former deputy principal private secretary and press secretary Mark Bolland, who Mr Goodman claimed had been an important source of information.
Mr Bolland felt, Mr Goodman said, that any story that was bad for other members of the Royal Family was good for the Prince of Wales.Mr Bolland felt, Mr Goodman said, that any story that was bad for other members of the Royal Family was good for the Prince of Wales.
He has already told the trial Diana, Princess of Wales, sent a royal phone book to the newspaper to "take on" her estranged husband Prince Charles.He has already told the trial Diana, Princess of Wales, sent a royal phone book to the newspaper to "take on" her estranged husband Prince Charles.
Asked about the nature of his contacts, Mr Goodman, who became royal editor of the now-defunct News of the World in 2000, replied: "Some worked for the Royal Family, some were friends of the Royal Family, indeed some were members of the Royal Family themselves."Asked about the nature of his contacts, Mr Goodman, who became royal editor of the now-defunct News of the World in 2000, replied: "Some worked for the Royal Family, some were friends of the Royal Family, indeed some were members of the Royal Family themselves."
Juror dischargedJuror discharged
The jury has previously been told of Mr Goodman's 2007 conviction for phone hacking.
Earlier, a female member of the jury was discharged by judge Mr Justice Saunders for health reasons.Earlier, a female member of the jury was discharged by judge Mr Justice Saunders for health reasons.
He told the remaining members it was "absolutely vital" no remaining jury members were lost.He told the remaining members it was "absolutely vital" no remaining jury members were lost.
Mr Goodman, of Addlestone in Surrey, and Mr Coulson are among seven defendants on trial at the Old Bailey who all deny the charges.Mr Goodman, of Addlestone in Surrey, and Mr Coulson are among seven defendants on trial at the Old Bailey who all deny the charges.
The trial continues.The trial continues.