Two more former journalists who worked at Rupert Murdoch’s now-shuttered News of the World have been charged with phone hacking.
Reuters reports that former deputy editor Neil Wallis and former features editor Jules Stenson stand accused of “conspiracy to intercept voicemails on mobile phones of well-known figures or people close to them.”
Also read: Rebekah Brooks Found Not Guilty, Andy Coulson Convicted in Phone Hacking Trial
The charges follow the guilty verdict that put Andy Coulson, the tabloid’s editor from 2003 to 2007, in prison for 18 months for encouraging employees to hack phone lines for scoops. Coulson, who went on to work for British Prime Minister David Cameron, was found guilty on July 4.
Also read: Hugh Grant Receives ‘Substantial’ Settlement in News of the World Hacking Lawsuit
Wallis reacted to the charges with dismay on Twitter:
1/4) I’m devastated that more than 3 years after my initial arrest, this swingeing indiscriminate charge had been brought against me…
— Neil Wallis (@neilwallis1) July 30, 2014
2/4 my family & I have already paid a huge price for the police’s very public attention. Perhaps it is inevitable that after being such…
— Neil Wallis (@neilwallis1) July 30, 2014
3/4 an outspoken critic of the collateral damage and pain caused by this needlessly vindictive & enormously costly investigation, the ire…
— Neil Wallis (@neilwallis1) July 30, 2014
4/4) has been turned on me for something that occurred at NI of which I knew nothing & which I have always said was wrong.
— Neil Wallis (@neilwallis1) July 30, 2014