..and what about Jeremy's deal? Was that relevant in relation to his credibility in testifying in his own defence?
to be clear here is the law that applied at the time :
16. Witness payments in criminal trials:
(i) No payment or offer of payment to a witness or any person who may reasonably be expected to be called as a witness ? should be made in any case once proceedings are active as defined by the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
(ii) Where proceedings are not yet active but are likely and foreseeable, editors must not make or offer payment to any person who may reasonably be expected to be called as a witness unless the information concerned ought demonstrably to be published in the public interest and there is an over-riding need to make or promise payment for this to be done, and all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that no financial dealings influence the evidence those witnesses give.
(iii) Any payment or offer of payment made to persons later cited to give evidence in proceedings must be disclosed to the prosecution and defence. The witness must be advised of this requirement.?
Proceedings become active under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 with an arrest.