The trial of five men charged in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap singer Victoria Beckham collapsed today.
The case was thrown out at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court, central London, today after the Crown Prosecution Service said the evidence of a key witness was unreliable.
The witness was a 27-year-old Kosovan parking attendant, who was paid by the News of the World, the court heard.
At today's hearing judge Simon Smith said he was referring the matter to the Attorney General
The judge added that the case highlighted the detrimental effect offering money in return for stories, particularly about celebrities, might have on any prosecutions which follow.
The four Romanians and one Kosovan Albanian were accused of plotting the abduction on or before November 2nd last year.
They were charged after a story appeared in the News of the World.
A CPS source speaking outside the court said: "We have decided to offer no evidence on the conspiracy to kidnap Victoria Beckham.
"Our picture of the News of Worldinformant was reappraised.
"We are now of the opinion that he is an unreliable witness after receiving financial gain from the News of the World."
The informant was named as Mr Florim Gashi, who the court heard had been in financial difficulties.
Evidence was heard that the newspaper paid £10,000 to Mr Gashi, a convicted criminal.
Judge Smith said: "I am minded to refer the whole of this matter to the Attorney General to consider the temptations to which money being offered in return for stories, in particular about celebrities, give rise to - and the way in which newspaper investigations may have a detrimental effect on - the ultimate court proceedings."
Prosecutor Brian Altman told the court the Beckhams had been told about the decision and that they understood the reasons for it.
The millionaire couple increased their personal security after the story appeared. There was no immediate comment from the Beckhams.
PA