Rebekah Brooks ‘baffled’ by charges

REBEKAH Brooks launched a defiant attack against police and prosecutors after it was announced that she is to face criminal charges over the phone hacking scandal.

As reported in later editions of yesterday’s Evening Express, the former News International chief executive said she deplored the “weak and unjust” decision over the charges.

Mrs Brooks said allegations that she, her husband and four others plotted to hide evidence were “an expensive sideshow and a waste of public money”.

She also challenged the integrity of the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to charge her with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

In a statement made outside her solicitor’s London office, the former Sun and News of the World editor said: “Although I understand the need for a thorough investigation, I am baffled by the decision to charge me. However, I cannot express my anger enough that those close to me have unfairly been dragged into this.

“While I have always respected the criminal justice system, I have to question whether this decision was made on a proper impartial assessment of the evidence.”

The couple will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 13 alongside her former PA Cheryl Carter and chauffeur Paul Edwards charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Mark Hanna, head of security at News International and security consultant Daryl Jorsling also face single counts of conspiring with her.