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Rupert Murdoch must pay legal costs for convicted Sun reporter Rupert Murdoch must pay legal costs for convicted Sun reporter
(35 minutes later)
I am pleased that Sun reporter Anthony France was not sent to jail today. Instead, he was given an an 18-month suspended sentence after a jury found him guilty of aiding and abetting a police officer to commit misconduct in a public office.I am pleased that Sun reporter Anthony France was not sent to jail today. Instead, he was given an an 18-month suspended sentence after a jury found him guilty of aiding and abetting a police officer to commit misconduct in a public office.
It goes without saying, since I don’t believe the jury called it right, that I still think the sentence, which also requires him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, harsh.It goes without saying, since I don’t believe the jury called it right, that I still think the sentence, which also requires him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, harsh.
On the positive side, Judge Timothy Pontius did describe him as “an experienced journalist of hitherto unblemished character – essentially a decent man of solid integrity”.On the positive side, Judge Timothy Pontius did describe him as “an experienced journalist of hitherto unblemished character – essentially a decent man of solid integrity”.
He also ordered France to pay costs of just under £35,000 “on the understanding that News International would foot the bill”.He also ordered France to pay costs of just under £35,000 “on the understanding that News International would foot the bill”.
But look at what the reporter’s lawyer, Adrian Keeling QC, told the court: “There is a sense that Mr France, who held the most junior full-time position at the Sun, stands to be punished for the whole system”.But look at what the reporter’s lawyer, Adrian Keeling QC, told the court: “There is a sense that Mr France, who held the most junior full-time position at the Sun, stands to be punished for the whole system”.
As a result of the conviction, he said, the overwhelming likelihood is that he will lose his job. Moreover, he said News International (now News UK) had indicated that it would not be prepared to pay France’s prosecution costs.As a result of the conviction, he said, the overwhelming likelihood is that he will lose his job. Moreover, he said News International (now News UK) had indicated that it would not be prepared to pay France’s prosecution costs.
The judge said that, if this proved to be the case, then the matter could be brought back to court and the order adjusted.The judge said that, if this proved to be the case, then the matter could be brought back to court and the order adjusted.
But why won’t News UK pay up? I called the company to ask and was promised a call-back. I have waited several hours for that reply but, thus far, none has come. But why won’t News UK pay up? I called the company to ask and was promised a call-back. I waited several hours for a reply and, ominously, the publisher’s spokeswoman got back eventually (at 3.30pm) to say the company was making no comment on an ongoing matter.
I will, of course, report it should one arrive before close of play today. As things stand, I regard it as manifestly unfair that the reporter should be expected to stand the costs of an action that resulted from the culture that existed at the publisher and whose prosecution occurred because that publisher provided the police with its evidence. That is very sad. I regard it as manifestly unfair that France should be expected to stand the costs of an action which resulted from the Sun’s newsroom culture and whose prosecution occurred because its publisher provided the police with its evidence.
Nor should he lose his job in such circumstances. Rupert Murdoch should be ashamed of himself if he refuses to take this man back to the Sun.Nor should he lose his job in such circumstances. Rupert Murdoch should be ashamed of himself if he refuses to take this man back to the Sun.
Anthony France, as I have said before, is a scapegoat.Anthony France, as I have said before, is a scapegoat.