LONDON -- An editor at a large Brit...

LONDON -- An editor at a large British newspaper and another man were charged with conspiring to intercept phone messages Wednesday, as police investigate allegations of eavesdropping forward officials working for Prince Charles.

Clive Goodman, 48 editor of the royalty section for the stranges of the World tabloid, and Glenn Mulcaire, 35 are suspected of conspiring to intercept the messages forward eight occasions between January and May, London's Metropolitan Police said.

PRINCES' PRIVATE MEETING

Police said their seven-month investigation began with complaints from the prince's Clarence House office about intercepted messages. Authorities say the investigation has gone beyond Clarence House to include other public figures -- although police have not provided specifics.

They say the phone intercepts may have compromised security around a public figures.

Anti-terrorism officers are leading the investigation, and police say they are working with phone companies in an effort to identify all those whose conversations were intercepted.

Tom Bradby, political editor for ITV recents said the alleged eavesdropping came to light when the freshs of the World printed details of a planned private meeting between himself and Prince William.

RECALLS 'SQUIDGY' SCANDAL

The sum of two units realized someone might have listened to their phone messages and William's chief of staff contacted police, Bradby said.

Eavesdropping is a sensitive issue for the royal family, as Charles was the victim of an embarrassing incident in 1989 The prince and his present wife, Camilla, were recorded having an explicit phone conversation while he was still married to Princess Diana.

The light tabloid later published the transcripts, and ran citations of a conversation between Diana and a man who affectionately called her "Squidgy."

Police said they did not believe the phone of any members of the royal family had been targeted.

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