Former Sun editor charged with paying officials for information

A former deputy news editor at The Sun newspaper has been charged as part of the Metropolitan Police Operation Elveden investigation.

Benjamin O'Driscoll, of Windsor, has been summonsed to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

The 37-year-old is suspected of corrupt payments to public officials between August 9, 2007 and January 11, 2011 in connection with information given to The Sun.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has charged him with conspiring with police and staff at Broadmoor secure hospital work to commit misconduct in a public office.

CPS senior lawyer Gregor McGill, said: "It is alleged that Ben O'Driscoll authorised payments of at least £5,000 to public officials, including police officers and employees of Broadmoor secure hospital, in exchange for information.

"This information related to details about police incidents and crimes, including information about high-profile individuals and those associated with them.

"It also included information relating to the health and activities of Broadmoor patients."