Two journalists from the Sun tabloid in Britain were charged here today over a conspiracy to pay more than 30,000 pounds to public officials, including police officers and army personnel, for unauthorised leaks.
Two journalists and a picture editor from the British tabloid alongside a former healthcare assistant at the high security Broadmoor Hospital were charged with conspiring to commit misconduct in public office, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Gregor McGill, a senior lawyer, said the Sun allegedly paid for information related to the heath and activities of Broadmoor patients, the work of a member of the royal family and details of on going police investigation.
The three, who were arrested under Scotland Yard's Operation Elveden investigation, will appear before Westminster Magistrates' court on July 18.
McGill said, "In relation to the specific allegations in this case, it is alleged that over a period of almost nine years the Sun newspaper made payments totalling more than 30,000 pounds to public officials including police officers, army personnel and Broadmoor officials, in exchange for information."
"It is alleged that the information for which the Sun made payments included that relating to the health and activities of Broadmoor patients, details about the work of a member of the royal family and details of on going police investigations," he added.
