Newspaper defends payment

A Sunday newspaper accused of prejudicing Gary Glitter's trial yesterday said it thought he would be charged with offences relating to another woman. The News of the World said its agreement to give the key witness £25,000 on condition that Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was convicted, was not intended to relate to charges concerning her.

The newspaper's comments came after the lord chancellor, Lord Irvine, requested a report into the case by the trial judge, Justice Butterfield, following the launch of an investigation by the press complaints commission.

The News of the World responded: "At the time it was our belief other charges relating to a different girl could be brought against Gadd, which is why our agreement referred to a further payment of £25,000 on publication of a story should he be convicted of child porn or any charges relating to sex with under-age girls."

The paper also denied it had breached the industry's code when it entered an agreement because there had been no criminal proceedings at the time.

At Bristol crown court on Friday, Glitter was cleared of indecently assaulting his alleged victim but was jailed for four months after admitting child pornography charges.

During the trial it emerged the woman had been paid £10,000 for the story which formed the basis of the allegations. The court was told a further £25,000 was to be paid if Glitter was convicted.