A former features editor of the News of the World has been charged with hacking the phones of famous people and their associates.

Journalist Jules Stenson, 48, from Battersea, was charged today for conspiracy to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, commonly known as phone hacking.

The charge follows an investigation, Operation Pinetree, which was launched after the initial phone hacking inquiry.

Mr Stenson has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 21.