First Elveden court appearance for former police terror chief

A former police counter-terrorism chief has appeared in court charged with misconduct in a public office for allegedly offering information to the News of the World.

Detective Chief Inspector April Casburn, 53, is alleged to have committed the offence in September 2010. She is the first person to be charged under Operation Elveden, the investigation into alleged corrupt payments to public officials.

Casburn, from Hatfield Peverel, Essex, spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth during the short hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

She is former head of Scotland Yard's national terrorist financing investigation unit. Casburn was released on unconditional bail until 2 November when she will appear at Crown Court to enter a plea.

Casburn, a former head of Scotland Yard's national terrorist financing investigation unit, is also charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act.

This afternoon a ban on publishing details of the Official Secrets Act charge was lifted by District Judge Quentin Purdy after representations were made by a number of media organisations.

Topics in this article : News of the World , Operation Elveden , Phone Hacking

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Dominic Ponsford

@DomPonsford

Dominic Ponsford is the editor in chief of Press Gazette and has more than 20 years experience in journalism. Former Paul Foot Awards finalist and PPA editor of the year nominee 2022.