Brooks charged over hacking links

Former News International chief executive Ms Brooks, who was a one-time worker for union-buster Eddy Shah, faces three counts of conspiracy to hide material from police linked with the phone-hacking scandal.

Her racehorse trainer husband Charlie faces one similar allegation. Both are friends of Prime Minister David Cameron and had been bailed after earlier arrests.

Mr Brooks was spotted leaving Hammersmith police station, in west London, today while his wife was seen entering Lewisham police station.

Earlier in the day they issued a joint statement saying: "We deplore this weak and unjust decision."

Four other people were also due to be charged with one charge each of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in connection with the inquiry.

They include Ms Brooks's personal assistant Cheryl Carter, head of security at News International Mark Hanna, Ms Brooks's personal chauffeur Paul Edwards, who was also employed by News International, and Daryl Jorsling, who provided security for Ms Brooks supplied by News International.

A seventh suspect will not be charged.

The charges include conspiring to conceal material from Scotland Yard detectives, conspiring to remove seven boxes of material from the archive of News International and conspiring to conceal documents, computers and other electronic equipment from detectives.

Ms Carter's solicitor Henri Brandman said his client "vigorously denies" the allegation that she removed boxes with Ms Brooks from News International.

The charges are linked with police investigations into allegations of phone-hacking and corruption of public officials related to the News of the World and the Sun.

Those charged will appear at Westminster magistrates' court on a date to be determined.

Warrington-born Ms Brooks worked for Eddy Shah's Messenger Group before joining the News of the World as a secretary in 1989. She went on to become its editor and then editor of the Sun.

A 50-year-old employee of HM Revenue and Customs was arrested today by detectives from Operation Elveden investigating corrupt payments to public officials.

Scotland Yard said a 43-year-old woman was also arrested at the north-west London address and held on suspicion of aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office and money-laundering offences.