British prosecutors say they're charging an ex-top aide to Prime Minister David Cameron, a former protege of Rupert Murdoch and six others in Britain's ever-widening investigation into phone hacking.

The Crown Prosecution Service says Andy Coulson and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks are among those being charged over their roles in the hacking.

Coulson is an ex-News of the World editor who later found work as Cameron's communications chief. Brooks was the chief executive of Murdoch's London-based News International.

Others being charged are senior tabloid journalists Stuart Kuttner, Greg Miskiw, Neville Thurlbeck, James Weatherup and Ian Edmondson.

Also being charged is private investigator Glenn Mulcaire.