View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
June 30, 2014

Andy Coulson and Clive Goodman face re-trial over conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office

By Press Gazette

Andy Coulson's legal woes continued today when he was told he would face a re-trial over charges of plotting to bribe corrupt officials while he was an editor at the News of the World.

Last week a jury was discharged after it failed to agree on whether Coulson, 46, and ex-NoW royal editor Clive Goodman, 56, conspired to commit misconduct in public office by paying police officers for two royal directories.

But today the Crown Prosecution Service announced it would still pursue both defendants over the two counts.

Prosecutor Andrew Edis QC said: "The CPS has taken the position to proceed with the retrial."

Coulson, of Charing in Kent, already faces jail after the jury found him guilty of plotting to hack phones at the NoW between 2000 and 2006 following the Old Bailey trial which went on for 139 days.

Goodman, of Addlestone, Surrey, pleaded guilty to phone-hacking in 2006 and despite admitting his activities were more extensive than he had previously said, will not face any further legal action over it.

Coulson was joined in the dock by private detective Glenn Mulcaire and four former NoW journalists who have all admitted their part in phone-hacking at hearings before the trial began.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Lawyers are expected to mitigate for the defendants before Mr Justice Saunders hands down sentences on Friday.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network