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News of the World suspends royal editor

11/08/2006

The News of the World newspaper has suspended its royal editor after it emerged that he had allegedly eavesdropped on the private communications of Britain's royal family.

Clive Goodman, 48, was charged on Wednesday along with one other man for allegedly tapping the phone lines in Clarence House, the Prince of Wales' official residence in London.

Today's announcement ends any remaining solidarity that the News of the World directors and editorial board may have had with Mr Goodman, who is accused with Glenn Mulcaire, 35, of accessing voicemail messages on eight separate occasions earlier this year.

"The News of the World has suspended Clive Goodman, royal editor, pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of unlawfully intercepting communications," the newspaper said in a statement released today.

Mr Goodman, together with Mr Mulcaire, is set to appear at Horseferry Road magistrates court on August 16th after being arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Both men were released on bail on Wednesday after appearing in court to hear the charges against them.

The latest embarrassment for the Rupert Murdoch-owned publication follows its humiliating defeat by Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan in a high-profile defamation case at the Edinburgh court of session last week.

If the News of the World fails in its appeal against the decision it will stand to lose £200,000.

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