Former News of the World editor allegedly sent instruction to paper's news editor in relation to a story about Calum Best

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

The jury in the phone hacking trial have been shown an email from former News of the World editor Andy Coulson in which he allegedly instructed "Do his phone" in relation to a story of claiming Calum Best was to become a father.

The Old Bailey heard on Thursday that the email was sent by Coulson to the paper's news editor Ian Edmondson on 20 May 2006. The paper was poised to run a story about glamour model Lorna Hogan, who was claiming to be pregnant by the reality TV star, who is the son of the footballer George Best.

Coulson emailed Edmondson at 1.08pm: "You think Calum a leak?"

Edmondson replied at 1.15pm: "I know she is a nightmare but at the moment I'm looking at every little thing. Same thing happened before, Calum bragging I have close mates inside NoTW."

Coulson replied at 1.30pm: "Do his phone."

Andy Coulson email to Ian Edmondson (click for larger image). Photograph: CPS

Both Coulson and Edmondson deny charges of conspiring to intercept mobile voicemail messages.

The court has heard that a story about Hogan's pregnancy accompanied by a scan picture of her unborn child appeared in the News of the World. Hogan told the jury she had met Edmondson before the articles appeared and had been paid for two articles.

Hogan said she had a two-month relationship with Best, during which she became pregnant with her daughter, and that Best had not acknowledged the child.

The trial continues.