Senior journalists at The Sun expressed a mixture of relief and anger as their three-year “ordeal” ended when they were cleared of paying public officials for scoops, including titbits on the princes William and Harry.

A stream of “gossip and tittle-tattle” about Prince William and Harry’s time at Sandhurst was leaked to The Sun by greedy public officials, a court heard.

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has admitted paying public officials for information on “half a dozen” occasions during her time as a newspaper editor.

Five people including former spin doctor Andy Coulson and ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks are facing charges linked to alleged bribery of public officials.