Prison officer faces leak charge

A prison officer at a high-security jail is to be charged with leaking information about a high-profile prisoner to the Sun newspaper for money, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Richard Trunkfield, who was a prison operational support officer at HMP Woodhill near Milton Keynes, is accused of committing misconduct in public office.

Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said in a statement: "It is alleged that in 2010 Mr Trunkfield provided information to the Sun newspaper in breach of the terms of his employment and was paid £3,350.

"The charge relates to an allegation that Mr Trunkfield provided details to the newspaper about a high profile prisoner."

He will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on a date to be fixed.