Rebekah Brooks leaving the High Court in London PIC: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Rebekah Brooks charged in phone hacking scandal - slams “unjust” charges

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
11:41 AM

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks is to be charged with perverting the course of justice during the phone-hacking scandal.

The Crown Prosecution Service alleges the former editor of the News of the World conceal seven boxes of documents of material, computers and gadgets, in order to mislead the police investigation.

Mrs Brooks and her racehorse trainer husband Charlie, also charged, labelled the charges ‘unjust.’

In the statement the pair said: ““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.”

Also charged were Mrs Brooks’s personal assistant Cheryl Carter and Mark Hanna, head of security at News International.

Mrs Brooks faces three conspiracy charges. The others all face one charge each.

Alison Levitt QC, principal legal advisor to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “All the evidence has now carefully been considered.

Mrs Brooks is expected to answer bail today.