News International has dropped an application for costs incurred in relation to the multimillion-pound phone-hacking trial of Rebekah Brooks and her staff, a court has heard.

The former News Of The World editor was acquitted of being part of the hacking conspiracy along with her former personal assistant Cheryl Carter, 50, and News International head of security Mark Hanna, 51, following a 139-day trial.

Today, at the start of a costs hearing, the Old Bailey heard that News International, now known as News UK, will not proceed with the application to have its considerable costs repaid.