Redknapp police chief accused over News of the World links

The senior detective who was shouted at by Harry Redknapp for “staring” had faced accusations that police were leaking the case to the News of the World, it can be revealed.

The now defunct Sunday tabloid’s conversations with both Mr Redknapp and co-accused Milan Mandaric formed a central part of the prosecution. But defence QC John Kelsey-Fry attempted to get the evidence thrown out, claiming the “press is effectively conducting a satellite investigation”.

Both Detective Inspector Dave Manley and sports journalist Rob Beasley denied City of London Police was the “source”.

There was simmering tension between the Tottenham manager and officers after a dawn raid on his Dorset home watched by press photographers.

Mr Redknapp told how his wife Sandra thought he must have been killed in a plane crash after looking out of the window to see the flash bulbs of photographers.

Mr Redknapp had shouted at Mr Manley midway through the football manager’s evidence.

Gesturing across the courtroom, he said: “Mr Manley, will you please stop staring at me. I know you are trying to cause me a problem, OK.”