Nearly four years after Operation Elveden was launched, the Met Police investigation into payments to public officials by journalists has largely collapsed.
While 21 public officials have been convicted (according to the CPS), only one journalist conviction stands out of 34 who have been arrested and/or charged. Three journalists are still set to face trial.
The effect on individual journalists caught up in the inquiry has been devastating in many cases. The cost to the taxpayer is in the tens of millions. The chilling effect on freedom of expression is ongoing.
The turning point was a Court of Appeal decision released on 27 March which quashed the first conviction of a journalist and resulted in new guidelines being drafted by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Related
Read all Press Gazette's coverage of the recent criminal trials involving journalists here.
Below is a round-up of the latest dramatic developments in Operation Elveden:
-
The Met Police, CPS and News Corp's MSC have taken a wrecking ball to tabloid journalism
-
Elveden unravels: After four years and 34 arrested/charged journalists, one conviction stands
-
CPS guidance over misconduct in public office: Payments for 'tittle tattle' unlikely to result in prosecution
-
CPS dubbed 'Crown Persecution Service' as former DPP Ken Macdonald says journalist trials were 'error'
-
Hogan-Howe and Saunders should resign over 'revolting, politically-motivated' trials, says Sun royal editor
-
'They've put honest journalists through hell' – Sun's Millard and Malinsky slam police after Elveden acquittals
-
Crown Prosecution Service drops nine journalist prosecutions after latest Elveden acquittals
-
Tabloid four trial: Three journalists cleared over public official payments, CPS mulls retrial of Tom Wells
-
CPS: No retrial for NoW reporter whose conviction was quashed – review of other journalist prosecutions
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
