Leveson: Police gave horse to Rebekah Brooks

SCOTLAND Yard chiefs loaned a retired police horse to phone-hacking suspect Rebekah Brooks, the force has said.

The former News International chief executive, right, “fostered” the animal after it retired from active service. She paid for food and vet bills until it was rehoused with a police officer in 2010 – months before fresh investigations into illegal activities at the News of the World.

Confirmation of the two-year loan comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the close relationship between police and the media giant.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Ms Brooks, a riding enthusiast whose husband is a racehorse trainer, was first given permission to take charge of the horse in 2008.

“When a police horse reaches the end of its working life, mounted branch officers find it a suitable retirement home,” he said.