Phone hacking inquiry: the Sun royal editor charged

News today from Operation Elveden – the phone-hacking inquiry – that Duncan Larcombe, royal editor at The Sun, is to be charged along with John Hardy, Claire Hardy and Tracy Bell with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Alison Levitt, QC, principal legal advisor to the director of public prosecutions (DPP), which oversees CPS decision making and all potential prosecutions in relation to the ongoing phone hacking investigations and other related matters, says:

“This announcement relates to a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police Service received by the CPS on 28 March 2013. The file concerned one journalist, two public officials and two members of the public.

“Following a careful review of the evidence, we have concluded that Duncan Larcombe, John Hardy and Claire Hardy should be charged with a conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

“Duncan Larcombe was employed as chief royal correspondent at The Sun, John Hardy served as a colour sergeant based at the Royal Military Training Academy in Sandhurst and Claire Hardy is his wife.

“It is alleged that from 10 February 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.”

And here is how the news was relayed to staff within the Walls of Wapping today by News International Chief Executive Mike Darcey:

“Dear Colleagues,

“I am very sorry to have to write to you again so soon after last week’s news concerning Fergus Shanahan.

“Today, Duncan Larcombe, The Sun’s royal editor has been charged with ‘conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office’ in connection with Operation Elveden.

“Duncan joined The Sun in 2001 and has served with distinction as defence editor, which included assignments in Afghanistan, and most recently as royal editor.

“We will be providing him and his family with our support as he goes through the legal process. We will not prejudge the outcome.

“I appreciate this is a very troubling time for all of you who work with Duncan.

“Once again I wish to express my gratitude to all our colleagues on The Sun for continuing to produce a great paper in the midst of such difficulty.”