Former Downing Street spin doctor Andy Coulson will not stand trial over allegations of making illegal payments to public officials.

The 47-year-old from Preston near Canterbury is one of nine current and former national newspaper journalists to have charges against them dropped.

But Mr Coulson, who was jailed in 2014 over phone hacking charges, still faces trial in Scotland over allegations of perjury.

During a high profile trial which concluded last year, Coulson was convicted for conspiracy to intercept voicemails while editor of the News of the World newspaper.

Former Sun editor Rebekah Brooks, Mr Coulson's predecessor at the now-closed News of the World, was cleared.

Mr Coulson was released in November last year after serving five months of an 18-month jail sentence.

Last month he was informed that he would face charges in Scotland over allegations of perjury said to have been committed during a libel trial.

His trial is due to begin on May.