Six journalists and senior staff at The Sun accused of corrupting public officials have been cleared of an "overarching" conspiracy.

Judge Richard Marks QC ruled at Kingston Crown Court in south London today that the men had no case to answer in relation to a charge that they had all been in on a single agreement with a number of public officials and other journalists.

But they are still charged with conspiring separately in "sub-plots" with staff at Broadmoor secure hospital, police officers and prison officials.