Two ex-editors of News of the World say: 'We'll fight Dowler allegations'
Two former News of the World editors issued statements after the phone-hacking charges were announced.
Andy Coulson
Andy Coulson who went on to became David Cameron's communications chief said ,"I am extremely disappointed by the CPS decision today. I will fight these allegations when they eventually get to court.
"I would like to say one thing today about the Milly Dowler allegation. Anyone who knows me, or who worked with me, would know that I wouldn't, and more importantly that I didn't, do anything to damage the Milly Dowler investigation.
"At the News of the World we worked on behalf of the victims of crime, particularly violent crime, and the idea that I would sit in my office dreaming up schemes to undermine investigations is simply untrue.
"That's all I've got to say today."
Former News of the World editor, later editor of the Sun, Rebekah Brooks said in her statement she was not guilty of conspiring to hack voicemail messages.
Brooks has been charged along with other former News of the World journalists Andy Coulson, Stuart Kuttner, Greg Miskiw and Neville Thurlbeck as well as private investigator Glenn Mulcaire with conspiring together with persons unknown to hack the voicemail messages of then missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler between 9 and 21 April 2002.
She said: “I am not guilty of these charges. I did not authorise, nor was I aware of, phone hacking under my editorship.
"I am distressed and angry that the CPS have reached this decision when they knew all the facts and were in a position to stop the case at this stage. The charge concerning Milly Dowler is particularly upsetting not only as it is untrue but also because I have spent my journalistic career campaigning for victims of crime. I will vigorously defend these allegations."
A court hearing is expected on August 16.