The trial of Shrien Dewani (pictured, Reuters) has been told The Sun brokered a £25,000 deal for stories with a male escort whose allegations are expected to form part of the prosecution case.
Dewani’s wife, Anni, was shot dead after a taxi she was sharing with her husband was hijacked in Cape Town on 13 November 2010 where they were on their honeymoon.
One of the men found guilty of hijacking the car claims he was paid by Dewani to carry out the “hit”. The businessman denies this allegation.
According to The Guardian, Van Zyl told the court that former News of the World editor Phil Hall, now a PR, negotiated a £25,000 deal for Leisser to provide a series of stories to The Sun. The court heard that the paper paid less than this when the stories did not live up to expectations.
The Sun’s chief foreign correspondent Nick Parker, appearing in the court, said he did not remember the details of any payments, according to The Guardian. Parker told the court how he interviewed Dewani nine days after the killing following an invitation from publicity agent Max Clifford.
The trial continues.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
