This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7380260.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jury out in royal blackmail trial Jury out in royal blackmail trial
(about 2 hours later)
An Old Bailey jury is considering its verdict in the trial of two men accused of blackmailing a Royal Family member over tapes featuring gay sex claims.An Old Bailey jury is considering its verdict in the trial of two men accused of blackmailing a Royal Family member over tapes featuring gay sex claims.
Ian Strachan and Sean McGuigan allegedly demanded £50,000 for the tapes of remarks by a royal employee.Ian Strachan and Sean McGuigan allegedly demanded £50,000 for the tapes of remarks by a royal employee.
The claims included that the royal, witness A, performed a sex act on the employee, witness D, at a party.The claims included that the royal, witness A, performed a sex act on the employee, witness D, at a party.
Mr Strachan, 31, of Fulham, and Mr McGuigan, 41, of Battersea, both London, deny blackmail.Mr Strachan, 31, of Fulham, and Mr McGuigan, 41, of Battersea, both London, deny blackmail.
Sting operationSting operation
Jurors have heard that the two men failed in an attempt to sell the recordings to newspapers, then approached witness A.Jurors have heard that the two men failed in an attempt to sell the recordings to newspapers, then approached witness A.
Mr Strachan and Mr McGuigan were arrested after meeting an undercover police officer posing as a royal aide at a London hotel last September. Mr Strachan, who is originally from Aberdeen, and Mr McGuigan were arrested after meeting an undercover police officer posing as a royal aide at a London hotel last September.
Mark Ellison QC, prosecuting, said the case was a "classic example of blackmail".Mark Ellison QC, prosecuting, said the case was a "classic example of blackmail".
Ronald Thwaites QC, representing Mr McGuigan, said the evidence against the men was "insubstantial, insignificant, and incomplete".Ronald Thwaites QC, representing Mr McGuigan, said the evidence against the men was "insubstantial, insignificant, and incomplete".