The jury in the trial of Jeffrey Archer has returned a not guilty verdicton one of the counts of perverting the course of justice.
The decision came on the direction of the judge.
It has also emerged that Lord Archer will not be called to giveevidence at the Old Bailey trial.
Lord Archer (61) and his former friend Mr Ted Francis (67) are accusedof dishonesty over a 1987 High Court libel case in which Lord Archerwas accused of having sex with a prostitute.
The novelist's counsel, Mr Nicholas Purnell QC, told trial judge, MrJustice Potts, and the jury that he did not propose to call Lord Archeras a witness.
The defence case was starting during the fourth week of thetrial in which the former deputy chairman of the ConservativeParty is accused of faking diaries and asking Mr Francis for a fakealibi.
LordArcher denies four counts of perverting the course of justice,two of perjury and one charge of using a diary as a falseinstrument.
Retired television producer Mr Francisdenies one charge of perverting the course of justice.
LordArcher was cleared of one count of perverting the course ofjustice which alleged he had asked his secretary Ms AngelaPeppiatt to buy a 1986 Economist diary, intending to make falseentries in it.
The judge told the jury that after hearing submissions fromcounsel, he found there was insufficient evidence about thediary for the count to stand.