£40m, three more years, 185 officers and just 13 charged ... phone hacking probe that goes on and on

The police investigation into phone hacking will cost £40million and run for at least three more years, according to the officer in charge.

Sue Akers admitted an 'enormous amount of money' was being spent probing allegations of hacking, privacy breaches and bribery of public officials.

But the Met deputy assistant commissioner said it was a success and not a cause for concern that only 13 people have been charged with any offences.

And she suggested that further charges may soon be brought against journalists and civil servants accused of swapping information for cash.

Miss Akers said talks were already under way to identify an 'exit strategy' from the complex web of inquiries, which is pinning down 185 investigators.

At a meeting of the Commons home affairs committee, Miss Akers said: 'An exit strategy is one of the most difficult issues.

'In terms of the phone hacking it's perhaps easier to see an end because we now have people charged.

'That needs to take its course through the courts.

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