The phone hacking scandal

This interactive timeline shows the key events in the UK phone hacking scandal.

The slow-burning scandal burst into life in July 2011 when The Guardian alleged that reporters at the News of the World hacked into murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler’s phone. The public outrage led in quick succession to the establishment of the Leveson inquiry into press standards, the closure of the News of the World, the resignation of Rebekah Brooks as chief executive of News International, the withdrawal of News Corp’s bid to take British Sky Broadcasting private and the humbling appearance of its boss Rupert Murdoch before MPs.

In July 2012, Crown Prosecution said seven people Rebekah Brooks, Andrew Coulson, Stuart Kuttner, Greg Miskiw, Ian Edmondson, Neville Thurlbeck and James Weatherup will be charged with conspiracy to intercept voicemails and with hacking the phones of up to 600 victims including murder victims, Hollywood stars and leading politicians.

In addition, Glenn Mulcaire, a private detective, will be charged with phone hacking.