The attorney general, Dominic Grieve is examining whether Sue Akers could be facing claims for contempt of court, after she told the Leveson inquiry the Sun had a “culture of legal payments”.
Akers suggested tens of thousands of pounds were paid to public officials.
Since Akers made the claims, eleven Sun journalists have been arrested over bribery allegations. However, no charges have been made.
A spokeswoman for Grieve said: “Evidence given during the Leveson Inquiry has been drawn to the attention of the attorney-general’s office. The attorney-general will consider the concerns raised.”
Niri Shan, media lawyer for the firm Taylor Wessing, said a charge on Akers would be unlikely.
Shan said: ”Contempt potentially arises after someone has been arrested and if something is said that gives rise to a substantial risk of serious prejudice to their trial. In my view, whilst statements made by Sue Akers may be regarded as injudicious, nothing Sue Akers has said could be regarded as being in contempt of court because her written statement, and oral evidence were given to a public inquiry and are therefore, protected by privilege.”
Shan added the contempt factor would fade since trials are unlikely to start until next year.
