Rebekah Brooks: 'I've Learnt Valuable Lessons' from Epic Phone Hacking Ordeal

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has said she feels "vindicated" by the unanimous not guilty verdict of phone hacking charges, earier this week.

Brooks, along with her husband, Charlie, spoke publicly for the first time since they were cleared of all charges against them following the eight month phone hacking trial at the Old Bailey.

Brooks said she was very grateful to the jury and hoped she had learned some "valuable lessons" from the ordeal she had been through.

Speaking outside their London home, the couple said they didn't have much to add to their previous statements two years ago in which they expressed their innocence.

She said: "I am innocent of the crimes that I was charged with and I feel vindicated by the unanimous verdicts."

Brooks, who edited The Sun and the News of the World before promotion to News International chief executive, was cleared of conspiring to hack phones, conspiring to commit misconduct in public office, and conspiring to cover up evidence to pervert the course of justice.

She added: "Of course the past few years have been tough for both of us [her and her husband] and to those close to us, but more importantly they've been tough for everybody on all sides.

"Throughout the three year police investigation and the eight month trial at the Old Bailey, we've always tried to keep our troubles in perspective."

Brooks refused to answer any direct questions from reporters regarding her co-accused Andy Coulson, another former editor of the NotW who was found guilty of one count of of conspiracy to hack phones.

Her husband and personal assistant Cheryl Carter were cleared of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, along with NI director of security Mark Hanna.

The paper's former managing editor Stuart Kuttner was also been found not guilty of phone hacking charges.