Former News International boss awaits decision on charges relating to allegations of phone hacking and illegal payments
Rebekah Brooks, the former News International chief executive, should know by the end of the summer whether she is to face further charges in relation to allegations of phone hacking and illegal payments to public officials.
Southwark crown court heard on Friday morning that Brooks is on bail until the end of July and a date in early August in relation to Scotland Yard investigations into alleged phone hacking and police corruption, respectively.
Brooks, 44, her husband Charlie Brooks, 49, and four others have also been charged with perverting the course of justice. They were bailed on these charges until 26 September, the date set by Justice Fulford for a plea hearing.
Andrew Edis, prosecuting QC, said that in relation to the phone hacking and police corruption allegations, although there were no "definitive charging decisions" he was "reasonably confident" that the Crown Prosecution Service would know which way it would proceed by the middle of August.
Hugo Keith, QC for Brooks, said: "It is a matter of public record that charges dates and bail dates loom."
But Keith added that all that is known so far is that files relating to unidentified people have been sent to the CPS. He also expressed concern about the amount of material on the internet in relation to his client.
Brooks was the first defendant to arrive at court, greeted by a wall of about 50 photographers and camera crews at around 8.30am on Friday.
Brooks emerged from the court two hours later to shouts from the photographers of "Rebekah, Rebekah". An ITN camerman was knocked to the ground and left with a bleeding head in the melee.
The former News International executive and confidant of Rupert Murdoch sat along with the five others in the glass-encased dock of court number 4 at Southwark crown court in central London throughout the 35 minute hearing,
Court no 4 was packed with barristers and journalists who filled the press, jury benches and the public gallery.
She spoke just once to confirm her name and barely made eye contact with anyone in the court, flashing an occasional glance at her husband, a race horse trainer and friend of the prime minister.
Brooks faces three charges of conspiring to pervert the course of justice in relation to the Metropolitan police's investigation into allegations of phone hacking and corruption of public officials in relation to the News of the World.
She is accused of conspiring to conceal documents, computers and electronic equipment from police and conspiring to remove seven boxes of material from the archive of News International.
Her husband and her former personal assistant Cheryl Carter, 48, of Mildmay Road, Chelmsford, Essex; head of security at News International Mark Hanna, 49, of Glynswood Road, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire; Mrs Brooks' chauffeur Paul Edwards, 47, of Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green, east London; and security consultant Daryl Jorsling, 39, of Vale Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, all face a single charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/22/rebekah-brooks-further-charges
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