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Former Sun Whitehall editor Clodagh Higginson joins Good Morning Britain as political editor

By Dominic Ponsford

Former Sun Whitehall editor Clodagh Higginson (previously Hartley) is joining ITV's Good Morning Britain as the programme's new political correspondent.

Higginson was found not-guilty by a jury in November 2014 after standing trial for conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

She stood trial after information given to police by News Corp revealed that a Customs press officer source was paid money by The Sun.

Hartley insisted that her source was a whistleblower appalled by waste and complaceny in HMRC.

She was one of 34 journalists arrested and/or charged under Operation Elveden (there were two convictions).

Higginson was Whitehall Editor of The Sun for five years and joined The Sun as a general news reporter in 2000.

Her roles at the paper included: Los Angeles correspondent, consumer affairs editor, home affairs correspondent, acting business editor and political correspondent.

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She said: "I'm thrilled to be joining such a strong and dynamic team at Good Morning Britain. With the referendum and local elections fast approaching, it's a fascinating time in British politics. I'm really looking forward to helping set the agenda bright and early every day."

She takes over from Paul Brand who has been covering the role on an interim basis since Sue Jameson left the position in November.

Good Morning Britain Editor Neil Thompson said: "Clodagh is a first class political journalist, skilled at decoding and animating those complicated but important stories from the corridors of power with the very best of her Westminster-based breed.

"She won't be just content with explaining the affairs of state to GMB's viewers she'll also be bringing in genuine political scoops. Watch this space.

"We have been very fortunate to have Paul Brand, one of the brightest hopes from the world of political reporting, to fill the gap between Sue Jameson's departure and Clodagh's arrival. ITV News is fortunate indeed to have him in their ranks and we're very grateful they were able to sub him to GMB."

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