Murdoch aide charged with conspiracy

London: Rebekah Brooks, a close confidante of Rupert Murdoch, was yesterday charged with interfering with a police investigation into a phone hacking scandal that has rocked the tycoon's empire and sent shockwaves through the British political establishment.

Brooks, 43, was charged with conspiring to remove boxes of archive records from Murdoch's London headquarters, concealing material from detectives and hiding documents, computers and other electronic equipment from the police. If found guilty she could face a prison sentence.

Also charged were Brooks' racehorse trainer husband Charlie Brooks, her secretary and other staff including her driver and security officials from News International, the British newspaper arm of Murdoch's News Corp.

They will appear in court in London on June 13.

"We deplore this weak and unjust decision," the Brooks' said in a statement.