Paying police acceptable in ‘exceptional circumstances’, ex-Sun boss tells court

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/27/paying-police-acceptable-exceptional-circumstances

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Paying police officers is acceptable in “exceptional circumstances”, a former news executive on the Sun told a jury.

Ben O’Driscoll, who is on trial over allegations of plotting to pay public officials for stories while on the paper, denied there was a culture of corruption at the Sun.

Asked by the prosecution whether “there was a culture of paying public officials” at the Sun, he replied: “Absolutely not”. Asked if it was the policy to pay public officials, he responded: “As far as I aware absolutely not.”

Asked if he thought it was acceptable to pay police officers for stories, he replied: “It would have to be in exceptional circumstances for a journalists to pay for information. But I think those circumstances can exist.”

“So, unless it’s in exceptional circumstances, paying police officers is wrong?” asked Oliver Glasgow, the prosecuting barrister at Kingston crown court. “Yes,” said O’Driscoll.

The trial continues