‘Fake sheikh’ Mahmood charged by UK courts

The journalist had earlier led an inquiry against Pakistan’s spot fixing trio

LONDON: Mazher Mahmood, a British journalist was charged on Tuesday with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was famous for his undercover work posing as a “fake sheikh” that had led to a number of high-profile criminal court cases.

Mahmood, well-known for revealing wrongdoing amongst politicians, TV and film stars and even royalty, was suspended by Rupert Murdoch’s Sun newspaper in July last year. This was following the collapse of a celebrity trial in which he was a main witness. The journalist had given evidence in the drugs trial of Tulisa Contostavlos, a former judge on the British version of the “X Factor” TV talent show. She had denied being involved in the supply of drugs to Mahmood while he posed as a film producer. Her trial collapsed with the judge saying he suspected the reporter had lied to the court.

Nick Vamos, Deputy Head of Special Crime at Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it was in the public interest to charge Mahmood and another man, Alan Smith.

“This decision comes after it was alleged that Mr Smith agreed with Mr Mahmood to change his statement to police as part of a trial in July 2014. It was also alleged that Mr Mahmood then misled the court,” Vamos said.

Mahmood, who will appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates court on October 30, said he denied the charges. “I will vigorously contest it at court,” he said in a statement. “In the meantime I have nothing further to say.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2015.