Weekly newspaper Mail & Guardian has denied being part of a meeting purportedly held to plan a campaign against former police chief Jackie Selebi.

Editor Nic Dawes said an allegation to this effect aired on Thursday in Selebi's corruption trial in the High Court in Johannesburg was false.

"At no stage did any M&G reporter or employee attend any such meeting or indaba," Dawes said in a statement.

The claims were made by State witness Glenn Agliotti in a video recording presented by Selebi's defence.

He said in the video that members of the former Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions) held a three-day indaba, which included a member of the M&G, to plan an alleged campaign against Selebi.

"They (the Scorpions) told me they went on a three-day indaba. They took one of the Mail & Guardian reporters with, so they could structure how they were going to report...," Agliotti said.

"The mouthpiece for the Scorpions is the Mail & Guardian."

In his reaction, Dawes said the newspaper's reporting on an investigation into Selebi was the result of in-depth reporting.

"The M&G was not led or spoon-fed. In fact, the M&G has not enjoyed a close relationship with the Scorpions or with the National Prosecuting Authority," Dawes said.

He added: "On at least two occasions, representatives of both agencies attempted to quash publication of allegations related to their investigation of Selebi."