Royal gay sex blackmail tape played in secret
The Old Bailey today heard a tape recording that contains claims that a male member of the Royal family performed a gay sex act on an employee, known as witness D.
Members of the press and the public were ordered to leave the court room before the judge allowed the tape to be played. Four court reporters were allowed to stay in the court room by Mr Justice Cooke so long as they did not report the contents of the tapes.
Since The Sunday Times broke the story of alleged blackmail in October there has been widespread speculation as to the identity of the Royal Family member who is the victim of the alleged blackmail.
He has been named on TV in the US and Australia and on numerous websites.
The British press are legally restrained from revealing the identity of the person, though it has been reported that he does not carry out any public duties.
Buckingham Palace has refused to comment on the alleged blackmail plot, saying only that it is a matter for the police.
Strachan and McGuigan are both pleading not guilty to making demands with menaces, contrary to the Theft Act 1968.
The trial continues.
