Ex-News Of The World Editors To Face Leveson

Former News Of The World editors Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson have been called to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics and standards next week.

Mrs Brooks and Mr Coulson both edited the Sunday tabloid during the period in which the phone-hacking scandal took place.

Mrs Brooks, who was promoted from an editor to a News International chief executive, is expected to be asked about her relations with politicians and senior police officers.

Mrs Brooks, 43, who also edited The Sun, has twice been arrested by Scotland Yard detectives investigating allegations of phone hacking, corrupt payments to public officials, and an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

She was bailed and has not been charged.

On Tuesday, a report by the Culture, Media and Sport select committee criticised her for presiding over a culture that led to News Of The World (NOTW) journalists impersonating members of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's family and hacking the teenager's phone.

Mrs Brooks has been named as one of the Leveson Inquiry's "core participants", people who have a significant interest in the hearings or may face criticism.

This means she has advance access to documents and witness statements, and the right to put questions to other witnesses through her lawyers.

Mr Coulson resigned from the NOTW in 2007 after one of his journalists was convicted of phone hacking. He later became Prime Minister David Cameron's director of communications.

He has repeatedly denied any knowledge of phone hacking at the tabloid.

In April, the lead counsel for the prosecution in the 2007 phone-hacking case told the Leveson Inquiry that he had seen no evidence implicating Mr Coulson in any wrongdoing.

The inquiry will also receive testimony next week from Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday.