A British Pakistani undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood – known as the “Fake Sheikh” - has been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with alleged conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Mazher Mahmood previously worked for Murdoch's News of the World tabloid, which the media mogul was forced to shut in 2011. Mahmood, who is well-known for revealing wrongdoing amongst politicians, TV and film stars and even royalty, was suspended by Rupert Murdoch's Sun newspaper after the collapse of a celebrity trial in which he was a main witness.
In announcing the charges, Nick Vamos, deputy head of special crime at the CPS, said the men were being charged “after a full file of evidence was submitted by the Metropolitan police on 5 June this year”.
He said: “After carefully considering all of the evidence the CPS has decided that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to charge both men.
“This decision comes after it was alleged that Mr Smith agreed with Mr Mahmood to change his statement to police as part of a trial in July 2014, and that Mr Mahmood then misled the court.”
In a statement issued through his lawyer, Mahmood said: “I am deeply disappointed that, after a totally unjustified delay, the Crown Prosecution Service have today informed me that they have decided to charge me with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
“I deny the offence. I will vigorously contest it at court. In the meantime I have nothing further to say.”
Mahmood and Smith are due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on 30 October.
