Ex-News Ltd boss is charged over hacking

Ex-News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks came out fighting as she became one of the first suspects to be prosecuted over the phone-hacking scandal.

The former News International chief executive, her racehorse trainer husband Charlie and four others will appear in court accused of plotting to hide evidence.

The couple branded the Crown Prosecution Service's decision as ''weak and unjust'' as they arrived at London police stations to be charged by detectives.

Rebekah Brooks faces three counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, including that she removed boxes of material from the News International archive and tried to conceal documents, computers and other material.

Charlie Brooks; Cheryl Carter, Mrs Brooks' personal assistant; Mark Hanna, head of security at News International; Paul Edwards, Rebekah's chauffeur; and security consultant Daryl Jorsling face single counts of conspiring with her.

Alison Levitt, the principal legal advisor to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said there was ''sufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction''.

But the couple released a joint statement expressing their anger before arriving separately at London police stations.

''We deplore this weak and unjust decision,'' they said. They denounced what they called ''further unprecedented posturing of the CPS''. Ms Carter, who is accused of conspiring with Rebekah Brooks to remove seven boxes of material from the company's archive, also ''vigorously denies'' the allegation.

Solicitor Henri Brandman said: ''Cheryl Carter understands that she is to be charged today with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

''She vigorously denies the commission of that or any offence.

''She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support during this most unhappy period of her life.'' Charges against one suspect, a security consultant, were dropped as part of the review of evidence by lawyers since detectives handed over the file on March 27.

But Ms Levitt said a prosecution ''is required in the public interest in relation to each of the other six''.

''All these matters relate to the ongoing police investigation into allegations of phone hacking and corruption of public officials in relation to the News of the World and The Sun newspapers,'' she said.

All six accused will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on a date to be determined.

Yesterday's decision comes just days after Rebekah Brooks lifted the lid on her close relationship with Prime Minister David Cameron at the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.

Brooks became News of the World editor in 2000 aged 31, landed the top job at The Sun in 2003 and was appointed chief executive of News International in 2009 before quitting in July 2011.

Days later she was arrested over alleged phone-hacking and corruption, offences for which she remains on bail without charge. She was arrested again in March in connection with the separate perverting the course of justice allegation, with her husband and four others. AP

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