Detectives investigating the alleged plot to intercept voicemail messages involving members of the royal family have charged a Sutton man.

Glen Mulcaire, 35, was due to appear at Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court yesterday with the royal editor of the News of the World, Clive Goodman.

Both men are charged with accessing voicemail messages on eight occasions between January and August this year. They are also accused of conspiring to intercept communications.

Mulcaire and 48-year-old Goodman were charged on Wednesday last week but were released on bail to appear before magistrates yesterday.

The investigation, led by officers from the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorist branch, was launched after staff at Clarence House reported alleged breaches of phone security. It has now been widened to include other high profile figures believed to be celebrities and politicians.

The charges, brought under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, relate to alleged interceptions on January 3, February 24, March 20, April 28, May 8, 15, 23 and 30.

The conspiracy charge, under the Criminal Law Act, relates to conspiring on or before August 9, 2006.

Addresses were searched by police in connection with the investigation including business premises in Sutton and Chelsea and the offices of News International in Wapping.

Another 50-year-old Sutton man, who was arrested at his home address shortly before 9.30am on Tuesday, August 8, has been bailed to return to a central London police station in September pending further enquiries.

A statement released by Scotland Yard said: "The investigation is focused on alleged repeated security breaches within telephone networks over a significant period of time and the potential impact this may have had on protective security around a number of individuals."