Prosecutors rule out intimidation charge for NoW's Thurlbeck

Sunderland-born Mr Thurlbeck was a former chief reporter at the News of the World

An ex-News of the World journalist will not be prosecuted over the suspected intimidation of a witness, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

Neville Thurlbeck, 50, was arrested in March over the claims relating to Scotland Yard's phone-hacking inquiry.

The CPS said it would take no action over the harassment allegations which related to a blog he posted.

Mr Thurlbeck remains on bail in relation to voicemail interception following his arrest in last April.

His blog on 7 March gave the home address of a member of News Corporation's Management and Standards Committee, set up to investigate "phone hacking at the News of the World, payments to the police and all other related issues at News International".

Alison Levitt QC, the top legal adviser to the director of public prosecutions, confirmed no action would be taken over the blog.

'For Neville'

She added: "Given that the journalist in question remains on bail for further offences we do not intend to give any further information at this point.

"Mr Thurlbeck remains on police bail on suspicion of offences under Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000."

After learning the news, Mr Thurlbeck said he wanted to thank his family, friends and colleagues for their "unswerving loyalty, support and continued belief in me".

Sunderland-born Mr Thurlbeck was a former chief reporter at the tabloid, which was closed down last year because of the hacking scandal.

He was behind stories including disclosures about ex-Formula 1 boss Max Mosley's sex life and allegations that David Beckham had an affair.

Mr Thurlbeck is a prominent figure in the phone-hacking saga, as the Neville referred to in the so-called "For Neville" email.

That email was sent by a junior NoW reporter to private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in 2008, containing the illegally obtained transcripts of voicemails belonging to football union boss Gordon Taylor.