UK journalist charged over royal phone tapping

The royal editor of the British News of the World tabloid has been charged with a string of offences after being questioned over…

The royal editor of the British News of the Worldtabloid has been charged with a string of offences after being questioned over alleged mobile phone hacking, Scotland Yard said.

Senior journalist Clive Goodman (48) from Putney is accused of nine offences, including plotting with Glen Mulcaire to "intercept communications, namely by agreeing to access individuals' telephone voicemail messages, in the course of their transmission by means of a public telecommunication system, contrary to the Criminal Law Act 1977".

The exterior of Charing Cross police station in central London where the News of the World royal correspondent Clive Goodman was questioned.
The exterior of Charing Cross police station in central London where the News of the World royal correspondent Clive Goodman was questioned.

Both he and Mr Mulcaire (35) from Sutton, England, were also each charged with eight charges of intercepting communications on dates between January and May this year.

Both have now been released on police bail to appear in court next Wednesday.

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Mr Goodman and two others were arrested early on Tuesday in connection with allegations that officials at the Prince of Wales's residence Clarence House had their voicemail messages intercepted.

One of those, a 50-year-old, was earlier released on bail.

Scotland Yard opened an investigation after members of the Prince Charles's household - also the official residence of his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Princes William and Harry - reported alleged security breaches within its phone network.

The police inquiry is now said to have now widened and is examining whether public figures, including senior politicians, high-profile celebrities and footballers, or members of another royal household, had their mobiles hacked into.