Former editor call to give evidence under oath at press probe

Rebekah Brooks will appear before the Leveson Inquiry next week.

The former News International chief executive is expected to be asked about her relations with politicians and senior police officers when she gives evidence on Friday

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

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Further evidence next Thursday will come from Andy Coulson, who became Downing Street’s communications chief after quitting as News of the World editor when one of his journalists was jailed in 2007 for phone hacking.

On Wednesday the inquiry will hear from Martin Clarke, editor of the Mail Online, and about police corruption investigations at Scotland Yard and Devon and Cornwall Police.

Mrs Brooks, 43, who edited the News of the World and 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.

She 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.

The Leveson Inquiry’s lawyers cannot question Mrs Brooks or Mr Coulson, who has also been arrested and bailed, about anything that could prejudice police inquiries or possible trials.