Four journalists have been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office as part of the Operation Elveden investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.
Journalists Tom Wells, Neil Millard and Brandon Malinsky from The Sun and Graham Brough formerly of the Mirror will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 10 March 2014.
Gregor McGill, a senior lawyer with the CPS said: “The CPS has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Tom Wells, Neil Millard, Reggie Nunkoo, Mark Blake and Rosemary Collier, and to summons Brandon Malinsky and Graham Brough, for offences of misconduct in public office.
“The CPS has decided that there is insufficient evidence in relation to three other individuals who have been informed they face no further action.”
McGill added: “The CPS has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Sam Azouelos with one count of misconduct in public office between 3 July 2006 and 30 April 2010.
“All defendants will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 10 March 2014.
“Criminal proceedings have now commenced and these defendants have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Brough and Malinsky were previously questioned under caution, but not arrested. News that they face charges brings to 63 the number of UK journalists who have been arrested and/or charged in the UK since April 2011 according to Press Gazette's tally.
Of those who have been told they face no further action only one had previously been arrested: a 52-year-old NHS woker who was Elveden arrest number 70 in June 2013.
Charges:
1. Tom Wells and Mark Blake between 27 January 2008 and 17 December 2010 conspired together to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to s 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.
2. Graham Brough and Reggie Nunkoo between 22 January 2009 and 14 January 2010 conspired together to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to s 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.
3. Neil Millard, Reggie Nunkoo and Brandon Malinsky between 13 September 2010 and 23 February 2011 conspired together to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to s 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.
4. Tom Wells between 2 March 2010 and 30 April 2010 conspired together with a public official to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to s 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.
5. Tom Wells and Neil Millard between 22 March 2010 and 9 March 2011 conspired together and with others to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to s 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.
6. Neil Millard and Rosemary Collier between 24 November 2010 and 23 December 2010 conspired together to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to s 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977.
——–
1. Between the 3 July 2006 and the 30 April 2010, Sam Azouelos being a public officer, namely a Metropolitan Police Officer, and acting as such, without reasonable excuse or justification, wilfully misconducted himself to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in that office, Contrary to Common Law.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
