Two of Rupert Murdoch’s key UK lieutenants were charged with involvement in phone hacking yesterday after prosecutors decided there was enough evidence to implicate them and six others in a scandal that has rocked News Corp.
The eight people charged with a total of 19 offences include Rebekah Brooks, the former chief executive of News International, and Andy Coulson, a former editor of the News of the World who also served as director of communications for David Cameron, UK prime minister.
It was the most significant stage yet in a criminal investigation that has been running for 18 months. News Corp has so far paid out at least $257m in legal fees and settlements over the hacking scandal, which led to the closure of the News of the World and the resignation of Mrs Brooks and other senior executives.