Geoff Webster
Geoff Webster (born Geoffrey B. Webster; 1959)[1] is the deputy editor of The Sun newspaper in the UK (currently suspended due to criminal charges brought under Operation Elveden).[2][3][4]
Geoff Webster | |
|---|---|
| Born | Geoffrey B. Webster 1959[1] |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Newspaper editor |
| Employer(s) | The Sun newspaper News Corp UK |
| Known for | Arrested and charged as part of Operation Elveden |
| Criminal charge | Conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office (section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977).[2][3] |
| Spouse | Alison Webster |
Move to the Sun newspaper
In 2003 the deputy editor of the News of the World, Rebekah Brooks, was appointed editor of the Sun newspaper. Shortly after arriving Brooks moved Webster from his job as associate editor/head of pictures at the News of the World, appointing him associate editor at the Sun, effectively making him "third in command" on the paper.[5]
Promotion
Webster was promoted to joint deputy editor of the Sun, along with Simon Cosyns, when David Dinsmore replaced Brooks as editor in 2009.[6]
Criminal charges
Webster was arrested[7] and charged with conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office[2][8] as part of Operation Elveden. One of the charges relates to an alleged payment of £6,500 to a Ministry of Defence official, with a further £1,500 allegedly going to another public official.[3][9]
Webster's arrest in February 2012 prompted Rupert Murdoch to fly to London to reassure the staff that he would not be closing down the newspaper.[7] Writing in The Guardian, Roy Greenslade described Murdoch's meeting with the staff:
"Though some reports suggested soon after the 6 March meeting that he [Rupert Murdoch] had won over the assembled staff, I was told the opposite. ... They were not in the least bit mollified by what he had to say. ... It was a hugely emotional occasion. Former managing editor Graham Dudman – the major spokesman on behalf of his colleagues – eventually broke down in tears. This followed the reading – by agony aunt Deidre Sanders – of a letter written by Alison Webster, the Page 3 photographer who is married to deputy editor Geoff Webster (who attended the meeting)."[10]
Webster was supported by several colleagues, and his wife, when he appeared in court.[11] He pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey and was given unconditional bail.[1] On 20 March 2015, Webster was cleared of charges that he had signed off illegal payments.[12]
See also
- The Sun newspaper
- Operation Elveden
- Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977, conspiring to commit misconduct in public office.
References
- BBC, news (17 July 2013). "Sun deputy editor Geoff Webster denies 'plotting misconduct'". BBC news. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
{{cite news}}:|first=has generic name (help) - BBC, news (20 March 2013). "The Sun's Geoff Webster charged over payments to officials". BBC news. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
{{cite news}}:|first=has generic name (help) - "Operation Elveden: CPS Charging Decision Operation Elveden: CPS Charging Decision". Crown Prosecution Service. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
We have concluded, following a careful review of the evidence, that Geoff Webster, who at the time of the alleged offending was Deputy Editor of The Sun newspaper, should be charged with two offences of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
- Tartagione, Nancy (20 March 2013). "Former editor of Rupert Murdoch's The Sun charged in corruption probe". Deadline London. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- Byrne, Ciar (23 January 2003). "Wade puts Webster in the picture". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- Sweney, Mark (7 September 2009). "The Sun appoints Simon Cosyns and Geoff Webster as joint deputy editors". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- Batty, David (11 February 2012). "Senior Sun journalists arrested in police payments probe". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- Cusick, James (20 March 2013). "The Sun's deputy editor Geoff Webster charged over illicit payments to officials". The Independent. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- O'Carroll, Lisa; Laville, Sandra (20 March 2013). "Sun deputy editor charged over alleged payments to public officials". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
One charge Webster faces relates to a Ministry of Defence official for whom payment of £6,500 was allegedly authorised by him on behalf of another Sun journalist.
- Greenslade, Roy (4 July 2013). "Greenslade Blog: Why Rupert Murdoch tape was leaked – tearful journalists were angry". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- O'Caroll, Lisa (26 March 2013). "Sun staff show support as deputy editor appears in court". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- "Sun journalists cleared in payments trial". BBC News. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.