Decision due on charging five journalists

Detectives investigating the News of the World phone-hacking scandal have asked prosecutors to decide whether to bring charges against five journalists.

It is the first time since Scotland Yard launched a new investigation into voicemail interception at the defunct Sunday tabloid nearly 18 months ago that the Crown Prosecution Service has been sent files relating solely to alleged phone-hacking offences.

The CPS is also considering charges against three police officers for alleged misconduct.