The royal editor of The Sun Duncan Larcombe, who was found not guilty of paying a former sergeant for scoops on Prince William and Harry last year, is to leave the paper.
The royal editor of The Sun Duncan Larcombe, who was found not guilty of misconduct in a public office by paying a former sergeant for scoops on Princes William and Harry last year, is to leave the paper.
Larcombe is currently writing a book on Prince Harry having secured a deal with Harper Collins.
The book is expected to be finished next year and Larcombe will not return to the tabloid afterwards.
More than 12 months ago, Larcombe was found not guilty of wrongdoing over his contact with a military source following a trial at the Old Bailey.
He was accused of paying more than £23,700 to former colour sergeant John Hardy.
Larcombe joined The Sun in 2001 as a reporter and as well as royal editor has also served as defence editor.
Prior to his time at The Sun, he spent 18 months as a reporter for Ferrari Press Agency and three years as a reporter on the Kent and Sussex Courier.
The Sun declined to comment.
Some 23 Sun journalists were arrested and/or charged under Operation Elveden as a result of information given to police by News Corp’s Management and Standards Committee about payments to public officials.
Only one Sun journalist was convicted, Anthony France, who is currently in the process of mounting an appeal.
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