Rebekah Brooks charged with perverting course of justice

Former editor of The Sun newspaper Rebekah Brooks and her husband Charlie have both been charged with perverting the course of justice alongside four others as the fall-out from the News International phone-hacking scandal continues.

The former News International Chief Executive and her husband are accused of conspiring to hide material contained on a laptop, iPhone and in paperwork when the scandal came to light last summer. They were first arrested in July when the items were located in a bin near their home.

The pair, who deny the charges, have slammed them as "weak and unjust" in a joint statement which was published just before they appeared at two separate police stations to be formally charged.

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Also being charged are: Mrs Brooks's former personal assisant, Cheryl Carter; Head of Security at News International Mark Hanna; News International chauffeur Paul Edwards; and Security Consultant Daryl Jorsling.

Rebekah Brooks resigned her position as the Chief Executive of News International, part of the News Corp media powerhouse owned by Rupert Murdoch, in July of last year.

Charlie Brooks, a friend of the Prime Minister and fellow Old Etonian David Cameron for more than 30 years, has no connection with News Corp, other than through his wife.

The statement issued by Rebekah and Charlie Brooks read: "We have this morning been informed by the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions that we are to be charged with perverting the course of justice.

"We deplore this weak and unjust decision. After the further unprecedented posturing of the CPS we will respond later today after our return from the police station."

NR