Nine to be charged in UK newspaper bribery scandal

The ex-managing editor at Rupert Murdoch's Sun newspaper and a former Daily Mirror journalist are among nine people facing bribery charges to get scoops on celebrities and other public figures in Britain.
Graham Dudman, an editorial director of News Corp's Sun newspaper for more than 20 years, is accused of authorising payments to public officials as part of Scotland Yard's Operation Elveden into allegations involving the unlawful provision of information by public officials to journalists.
It was launched alongside investigations into suspected phone hacking scandal by journalists at Murdoch's now-defunct tabloid 'News of the World'.
Dudman, who is an executive at News UK - formerly News International, is to be charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

It is believed that in September 2002 he requested the authorisation of payments of 3,000 pounds to one or more police officers in exchange for information relating to ongoing police investigations.
It is also alleged that he approved a payment requested by John Troup, a former journalist at 'The Sun' who will be charged as a co-conspirator.

Former 'Daily Mirror' journalist Grieg Box Turnbull will face charges for allegedly paying prison officer Grant Pizzey for information about high-profile inmates. Two further 'Sun' journalists, a police officer and an employee of Broadmoor hospital, are also facing charges.
Pizzey's partner Desra Reilly will be charged along with a second former prison officer, Marc Alexander, who worked at Holloway prison in north London.

"We note that former Daily Mirror journalist Greig Box Turnbull has been charged as part of Operation Elveden. We continue to cooperate with the police and further updates will be made if there are any significant developments," said a spokesperson for the Trinity Mirror Group, which owns 'Daily Mirror'.
Turnbull is the first journalist from the Mirror group of newspapers to be charged since UK's phone hacking scandal broke two years ago, triggered by revelations that reporters at News of the World intercepted the voicemails of celebrities and other public figures.
All nine journalists will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on September 5.

Initially focusing on Murdoch's News Corp media empire, the phone hacking scandal has since spread to taint other media organisations.
So far more than 30 people have been charged in the scandal, including journalists, police officers and former newspaper executives.