Kentish Town ex-soldier denies selling stories on Prince Harry and Prince William to tabloids

A former Household Cavalry soldier has denied selling stories about the Royal Family to tabloid newspapers, the Old Bailey heard.

Paul Brunt, 32, of Bartholomew Road, Kentish Town, allegedly sold information about Prince William and Prince Harry to The Sun and the News of the World in 2006 and 2007.

He is accused of tipping off reporters while the young princes were training to be military officers at barracks next to Hyde Park.

Brunt received more than £9,000 from the News of the World and more than £7,000 from The Sun for the inside information, the court heard.

The soldier, who has now left the British Army, appeared in the dock on Monday to plead not guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office.

He has been charged under the Met’s Operation Elveden probe into alleged corruption between the press and public officials.

Brunt appeared as a contestant on ITV’s The X Factor in 2006, and was likened to James Blunt, another ex-soldier turned singer.

The defendant was released on unconditional bail by Judge Rebecca Poulet QC until his trial, which is due to begin on December 14.