Princess Diana 'Leaked Royal Phone Book'

Princess Diana leaked a confidential book of royal phone numbers to the News Of The World, the Old Bailey has heard.

The tabloid's former royal editor Clive Goodman made the claim as he appeared at the phone hacking trial in London.

He said Diana sent the book through the post to his office in Wapping, east London, and later rang to check he had received it.

Goodman, 56, claimed she leaked the "Green Book" to show the size of Prince Charles' household compared to her own.

"She was going through a very, very difficult time," he said. "She felt she was being swamped by people close to his household.

"She was looking for an ally to take him on - to show there were forces that would rage against him."

Diana divorced from Charles in 1996, and was killed in a car crash in Paris a year later.

Goodman, from Addlestone, Surrey, told the court he was handed several copies of the directory over the years, with two other copies being provided by a valet to the Prince of Wales.

Sky's Mark White, at the Old Bailey, said the Green Books contained contact numbers from everyone from the Queen down to senior members of the household.

Goodman was found with 15 books in his possession, and said he used them to stand up stories.

It is alleged he paid Palace police officers for some of the books, but he denies that and says they were given to him over a number of years.

Asked by his counsel David Spens QC how he got them, he said one Green Book was given to him in 1992 by the Princess of Wales.

"That arrived at my office in Wapping with my name on it," he said.

"She (Princess Diana) had a (good) relationship with several journalists - Richard Kay at the Daily Mail, Martin Bashir of Panorama."

Asked if Diana gave a reason for leaking the numbers, Goodman said she had been going through "a very tough time".

He was then cut off by judge Mr Justice Saunders and asked to stick to what she had told him.

Goodman denies two counts of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.

The trial continues.