Journalists charged over phonehacking

Senior journalists from the News of the World pledged yesterday to clear their names after it was announced that eight people, including David Cameron’s former spin doctor, Andy Coulson, will be charged with phone hacking.

Seven members of staff from the now-defunct tabloid, including former editors Coulson and Rebekah Brooks, face court action over accusations that they illegally accessed voicemails.

The charges are a potential blow for the prime minister, who employed Coulson as his press adviser following his resignation as editor of the NOTW.