Brooks ‘vindicated’ by not guilty verdicts in hacking trial

Rebekah Brooks, the former boss of News Corp’s British newspaper business, has said she feels vindicated after being found not guilty this week of hacking phone messages and other crimes while editing Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloids.

“I am innocent of the crimes that I was charged with,” she told a scrum of reporters outside a house in London where she has been staying during the eight-month trial. “I feel vindicated by the unanimous verdicts.”

It was the first time Ms Brooks (46) has spoken since she was cleared by a jury at London’s Old Bailey court of charges relating to phone-hacking, illegal payments to a public official and perverting the course of justice.

Ms Brooks, supported by her husband Charlie who was also cleared of accusations of trying to thwart the police inquiry, was clearly emotional and shaking as she addressed the media.

“It’s been a time of reflection for me. I’ve learnt some valuable lessons and hopefully I’m the wiser for it,” she said.

Mr Brooks said he had “ very little to add to what we have both said two years ago when we were charged”.

“Everything, absolutely everything we said two years ago has proved to be true,” he said.

“Rebekah has been through an unprecedented investigation of an incredibly forensic and personal nature, the likes of which we have probably never seen. And I would just like to say how proud I am of Rebekah and the dignity she has shown.”

Ms Brooks, a former Sun and News of the World editor, was appearing in public for the first time since she was found not guilty on all charges on Tuesday, which was day 138 of the Old Bailey hacking trial.

Her former lover and News of the World deputy Andy Coulson faces jail after the jury of eight women and three men found him guilty of the hacking conspiracy between 2000 and 2006. Mrs

Ms Brooks made no direct reference to Coulson as she faced a barrage of questions from reporters.

Mr Brooks said: “Obviously I am really concerned for Andy and (his wife) Eloise and their family. I would like to say I am really sad.”

Asked if he thought Coulson was guilty, he would only say that was “sad”.

Reuters/PA