Rebekah Brooks to Plead in Phone Hacking Cover-up Trial in Late September

LONDON – Rebekah Brooks, ex-CEO of News Corp.'s embattled News International U.K. newspaper arm and longtime Rupert Murdoch ally, has been bailed Friday until Sept. 26 to face charges of conspiring to "pervert the course of justice" in the case related to the phone hacking scandal.

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Brooks, the former Sun editor, and five others including husband Charlie, appeared at the Southwark Crown Court here Friday for a preliminary hearing with everyone bailed.

The defendants will be asked what they will plead at a hearing at the same court on Sept. 26 this year.

Meanwhile, the Guardian reported that Brooks should know in August whether she must face further charges in relation to allegations of phone hacking and illegal payments to public officials. London's Scotland Yard has been conducting investigations into these allegations.

Brooks, 44, was charged last month with three counts of conspiracy to remove documents, computers and other potential evidence from police investigating phone hacking charges.

She has denied these charges, labelling them an "expensive sideshow" at the time.

The others facing trial are Brooks' husband Charlie, her former personal assistant, her former chauffeur and two security officials.

All media eyes will be on Southwark Crown Court in September to find out just how Brooks plans to play it.