Charlie Brooks returned to the training ranks in November

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Charlie Brooks charged in phone-hacking inquiry

TRAINER Charlie Brooks and his wife, former News International chief executive, Rebekah Brooks, are being charged with perverting the course of justice as part of the phone-hacking inquiry.

The couple released a statement on Tuesday morning in which they accused the Crown Prosecution Service of "posturing", and said: "We deplore this weak and unjust decision."

The charges relate to alleged offences in July last year including concealing documents and computers from police.

Charlie Brooks, who is due to appear with his wife at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 12, claimed his wife was the victim of a "witch hunt".

"I feel today is an attempt to use me and others as scapegoats, the effect of which is to ratchet up the pressure on my wife, who I believe is thesubject of a witch hunt," he said.

"I am confident that the lack of evidence against me will be borne out in court, but I have grave doubts that my wife will ever get a fair trial, given the volume of biased commentary which she has been subject to."

Another four people have also been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.