British prosecutors say they’re charging Prime Minister David Cameron’s ex-top aide, a former protégé of Rupert Murdoch, and six others in Britain’s swelling investigation into the media empire’s phone hacking scandal. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Andy Coulson and former London-based News International Chief Executive Rebekah Brooks are among those who will be charged over their roles in the hacking scandal.
Brooks issued a statement after the charges were announced, declaring her innocence and promising to defend herself “vigorously.” In her statement, she said, “I am not guilty of these charges. I did not authorize, nor was I aware of, phone hacking under my editorship. I am distressed and angry that the CPS have reached this decision when they knew all the facts and were in a position to stop the case at this stage.” Among the others charged are senior tabloid journalists Stuart Kuttner, Greg Miskiw, Neville Thurlbeck, James Weatherup, and Ian Edmondson. Private investigator Glenn Mulcaire has also been charged.
