View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
July 8, 2013updated 10 Jul 2013 8:17pm

Conspiracy charges for Sun head of news Chris Pharo, Daily Star’s Tom Savage and Lucy Panton

By Dominic Ponsford

Sun head of news Chris Pharo, former crime editor of the News of the World Lucy Panton and Daily Star Sunday deputy editor Tom Savage have all been charged with making illegal payments.

Pharo becomes the 10th Sun journalist to be charged as a result of the Met Police Operation Elveden probe into payments.

It is alleged that between March 2010 and June 2011 – Scott Chapman, a prison officer at HMP Woodhill, sold information to the News of the World, The Sun, Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, Sunday People, Daily Star and the Daily Star Sunday.

According to the CPS: “The information largely related to a high-profile prisoner and it is alleged that the payments were received via a conduit, Mr Chapman’s ex-partner, Lynn Gaffney.”

The pair are alleged to have received:

Chapman and Gaffney face four counts of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Panton and Savage, face one count each of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office.

The CPS has decided that no further action will be taken against one unnamed journalist from the Mirror Group because “there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction in relation to this matter”.

The CPS said: “Due to ongoing proceedings it would be inappropriate to say any more at this stage.”

Last night Sunday Mirror crime editor Justin Penrose revealed that he had been cleared, a year after being arrested as part of Operation Elveden.

With regard to Pharo, it is alleged that between January 2006 and December 2010 he authorised payments to employees at Broadmoor secure hospital and at the Thames Valley, Surrey and Metropolitan police forces. It is also alleged that he authorised payments to British Army officers and prison officials.

He has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

The CPS said that no further action will taken against another unnamed journalist accused of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office with three public officials.

The CPS said: “After carefully reviewing the file it was determined that there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that no further action should be taken in relation to these allegations.

“Due to ongoing proceedings in Operation Elveden it would be inappropriate to say any more at this stage.”

The full charges are as follows:

SCOTT CHAPMAN, LYNN GAFFNEY, LUCY PANTON AND THOMAS SAVAGE

1. Scott Chapman and Lynn Gaffney, between 22.3.10 and 9.4.11, conspired together and with journalists at The Sun to commit misconduct in public office. Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977

2. Scott Chapman and Lynn Gaffney, between 26.6.10 and 20.6.11, conspired together and with persons unknown at Trinity Mirror Group, to commit misconduct in public office. Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977

3. Scott Chapman, Lynn Gaffney and Thomas Savage, between 22.7.10 and 20.6.11, conspired together to commit misconduct in public office. Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977

4. Scott Chapman, Lynn Gaffney and Lucy Panton between 5.8.10 and 11.9.10, conspired together to commit misconduct in public office. Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977

CHRIS PHARO

Between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2010 Chris Pharo conspired together with journalists and with public officials, namely public officials employed at Broadmoor secure hospital, employees of the Thames Valley, Surrey and Metropolitan police forces, officers in the British Army and prison officials, to commit misconduct in public office Contrary to section 1(1) Criminal Law Act 1977 

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