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July 31, 2013updated 01 Aug 2013 1:19pm

CPS drops cases against three newspaper staff investigated in Elveden bribery probe

By PA Medialawyer and Press Gazette

Three newspaper staff who were questioned over alleged leaks of information by public officials are to face no further action, prosecutors said today.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was not enough evidence against one, and that it was not in the public interest to prosecute the other two.

The trio is understood to include The Sun's deputy managing editor Richard Barun, who was interviewed under caution but never arrested.

A fourth person remains on police bail in relation to the allegations, which were investigated as part of Operation Elveden, Scotland Yard's inquiry into alleged payments to public officials.

CPS spokesman Gregor McGill said: "After carefully reviewing all the evidence provided it was determined that no further action should be taken in relation to three of the individuals. The fourth suspect remains on police bail.

"In relation to one of the individuals, the decision not to prosecute was taken on the basis that there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

"In relation to the other two, it was concluded that there was sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction, however, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, it was determined that it would not be in the public interest to prosecute them."

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Scotland Yard confirmed that three people who were interviewed under caution as part of Operation Elveden had been told that they would face no further action.

They are two men, aged 36 and 43, who were questioned in October, and a 42-year-old woman who was interviewed in January last year.

A 50-year-old man remains on police bail after he was arrested on suspicion of corruption, aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit both those offences.

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