Phone hacking: Royal reporter to face 'no further action'

A Press Association reporter arrested last month by police investigating phone hacking allegations will face "no further action", according to a report by the news wire.

Royal correspondent Laura Elston's laywer David Corker said he was today informed by police that she had been dropped from the inquiry.

Scotland Yard has confirmed Elston's bail has been cancelled and there will be no further action.

Elston was arrested on 27 June after attending an appointment at a London police station, where she was questioned on suspicion of intercepting communications.

At the time of her arrest the Press Association declared its "full support" for the royal correspondent, who PA editor Jonathan Grun said was "a journalist of integrity".

Elston joined PA as a graduate trainee in 2000, before being made deputy royal correspondent in 2003 and royal correspondent in 2007.

In a statement today, PA Group chief executive Clive Marshall said the company's own investigation also found "no trace of wrong-doing".

"We are delighted that this matter has been brought to an end and that Laura Elston and the Press Association have been completely exonerated.

"Our extensive internal inquiry into this matter found no trace of wrong-doing and we have always been confident of Laura's innocence."

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