Angela Merkel phone tapping probe closed

German prosecutors have closed their investigation into the alleged tapping of chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone by the US National Security Agency, saying they have been unable to find evidence that would stand up in court.

Prosecutors last June opened an investigation into the alleged monitoring of a phone Merkel used for party business, an issue that has weighed on relations between Germany and the US.

However, chief prosecutor Harald Range signalled in December that the probe wasn’t going well, saying that he had found no actionable evidence.