Brooks begins evidence at hacking trial

Former News International boss Rebekah Brooks began giving evidence in her defence at the phone hacking trial today after she was formally cleared of a charge linked to a picture of Prince William dressed as a bikini-clad Bond girl at a Sandhurst party.

The 45-year-old ex-tabloid editor, who still faces charges of conspiring to hack phones, two of perverting the course of justice and one of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office, sat in the witness box at the Old Bailey wearing a white cardigan over a royal blue dress with her red hair pinned back.