Five defendants including former head of News International Rebekah Brooks and British prime minister David Cameron’s former communications director Andy Coulson have lost a last-ditch bid at the British Court of Appeal to block their prosecution over alleged phone hacking.
The former News of the World editors, alongside former senior reporter James Weatherup, former managing editor Stuart Kuttner, and former news editor Ian Edmondson, tried to get their case dismissed at the Court of Appeal.
The defendants, who are being prosecuted over allegations they intercepted cell phone voicemails while working for the News of the World, argued saved messages weren’t covered by laws protecting private communications.
Ms Brooks and Mr Coulson pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this month. The rules apply even if a “voicemail message has already been received and read by the intended recipient,” Judge Igor Judge said in a written decision rejecting their appeal.
Lawyers for Ms Brooks and Mr Coulson didn’t immediately respond to e-mails seeking comment.