James Murdoch evidence questioned by former executives

BBC, 22 July 2011

Evidence on phone hacking given to MPs by News International chairman James Murdoch has been called into question by two former executives at the firm.

He told the media committee on Tuesday he had not been “aware” of an email suggesting the practice went wider than a “rogue” News of the World reporter.

But ex-NoW editor Colin Myler and ex-NI legal manager Tom Crone have now said they “did inform” him of the email.

Mr Murdoch later said he “stands by his testimony”.

More here…

Read Full Post »

Humble Pie

Phone hacking: ‘Humbled’ Murdoch rejects blame

BBC, 20 July, 2011

Rupert Murdoch has said he cannot be held responsible for the scandal at the News of the World, saying he was let down by “people I trusted”.

The News Corporation boss said he was not aware of the extent of phone hacking there and had “clearly” been misled by some of his staff.

His son, James, apologised to victims, saying hacking was “inexcusable”.

The hearing was the first time Rupert Murdoch has faced direct scrutiny by MPs in his 40-year UK media career.

More here

Paper review: Murdoch splashed across papers

BBC, 20 July, 2011

“Murdoch eats humble pie,” is how the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Express sum up the News Corp chief’s appearance before the Culture select committee.

Rupert Murdoch’s opening that it was the most “humble” day of his life also gives the headlines for the Financial Times, the Sun and the Guardian.

Tuesday’s events at the Wilson Room in Portcullis House make the front page of every single paper.

More here

Read Full Post »

Murdochs face grilling by MPs

0847: Laura Kuenssberg tweets:

So plan your day! Stephenson up at 12, then Met head of press, then Yates at 1.15. Then 2.30 Rupert + James Murdoch, then Rebekah Brooks.”

MPs to quiz Murdochs over hacking

BBC, 19 July 2011

News Corporation chiefs Rupert and James Murdoch and former executive Rebekah Brooks will be quizzed by MPs later about the phone-hacking scandal.

The Murdochs agreed to appear before the Commons media committee after it issued a summons for them.

The MPs said they had questions over evidence given by Mrs Brooks and Andy Coulson – both ex-News of the World (NoW) editors – at a hearing in 2003.

More here…

Related Story:

The MPs who will quiz the Murdochs

NoW whistle-blower is found dead

BBC, 19 July 2011

A former News of the World journalist who made phone-hacking allegations against the paper has been found dead at his home in Watford.

Mr Hoare had told the New York Times hacking was far more extensive than the paper acknowledged when police first investigated hacking claims.

Sean Hoare also told the BBC’s Panorama phone hacking was “endemic” at the NoW.

More here…

Phone-hacking: Dangers lurk for David Cameron

BBC, 19 July 2011

When bloodless coups come about in dictatorships, often it’s when the head of government is away on a foreign visit.

But democracies bring their own dangers for absent political leaders.

More here…

LIVE: Phone-hacking latest

Read Full Post »

Revealed: Cameron’s 26 meetings in 15 months with Murdoch chiefs

By Oliver Wright and Nigel Morris, independent.co.uk
Saturday, 16 July 2011

From l-r: News International Chairman and Chief Executive James Murdoch, News International Chief Executive Rebekah Brooks, Former spokesman for the Prime Minister and former editor of News of the World Andy Coulson, Prime Minister David Cameron/Getty Images; Reuters; AP

The scale of private links between David Cameron and News International was exposed for the first time last night, with the Prime Minister shown to have met Rupert Murdoch’s executives on no fewer than 26 occasions in just over a year since he entered Downing Street.

More here…

Read Full Post »