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Sun journalists cleared of paying public officials

Senior Sun journalists expressed a mixture of relief and anger today as their three-year "ordeal" ended when they were cleared of paying public officials for scoops, including titbits on the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Chief reporter John Kay, 71, and royal editor Duncan Larcombe, 39, were found not guilty of wrongdoing over their contact with two military sources after a jury deliberated for more than 48 hours at the Old Bailey.

The Sun's executive editor Fergus Shanahan, 60, and deputy editor Geoff Webster, 55, were also cleared over allegations that they signed off payments.

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Call to end 'witch hunt' against newspaper journalists

Calls for a "witch hunt" against newspaper journalists to end came amid emotional scenes outside court when four senior Sun journalists were cleared of wrongdoing over payments to public officials for stories.

Royal editor Duncan Larcombe. Credit: PA

I'm not going to say much but 1,060 days ago eight policemen raided my house at six in the morning.

There is no celebration while this witch hunt continues against my colleagues who are still facing the nightmare that I hopefully one day will wake up from.

– Royal editor Duncan Larcombe

Royal editor Duncan Larcombe appeared tearful as he left the Old Bailey with his arm around his wife who had supported him throughout the trial. Asked if he thought charges against other journalists should be dropped, he said: "Of course I think that, but this is all I'm really allowed to say." The 39-year-old journalist said he was "just relieved" at the verdict.

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