Reporter vows to fight hacking charges

Former News of the World chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck said today he will “vigorously fight” to clear his reputation as it emerged he will face charges over phone hacking.

The journalist said in a statement through his solicitor Henri Brandman that he was “surprised and disappointed” that he will face prosecution.

He said: “I have always operated under the strict guidance and advice of News International’s lawyers and under the instructions of the newspaper’s editors, which will be abundantly clear when this matter comes to court.

“I will vigorously fight to clear my reputation.”

Thurlbeck is facing accusations linked to alleged hacking of the voicemail of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, former Labour ministers David Blunkett and Charles Clarke, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, former Labour minister Tessa Jowell and her husband David Mills and former MP Mark Oaten.

He thanked his family and friends for their “undying support” over the last 15 months since his arrest in April last year.

Thurlbeck also thanked his lawyer for “his wise and calm counsel during the police investigation”.

Neither he nor his legal team will make any further comment at this stage, he said.