Former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks has been formally found not guilty of one charge of misconduct in a public office but she remains on trial for four further counts.

Jurors at the phone-hacking trial will still decide whether Brooks, 45, is guilty of four further offences – one count of conspiring to hack phones, two of perverting the course of justice, and one of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office.

Judge Mr Justice Saunders, sitting at the Old Bailey, instructed the jury to formally acquit Brooks. The charge relates to an allegation that she sanctioned a payment of £4,000 to a public official for a picture of Prince William dressed as a bikini-clad Bond girl at a Sandhurst party.