Phone Hacking: Rupert Murdoch 'Ashamed' By Hacking
Posted on Tuesday, 19 July 2011 by JJ Bailey
Rupert Murdoch has said he was "appalled and ashamed" to learn that the phone of Milly Dowler had been hacked by the News of the World. He told MPs he was not aware hacking was more widespread than originally claimed and he had "clearly" been misled by some of his staff. His appearance is the first time he has faced direct scrutiny by MPs during his 40-year media UK career. His son James apologised to victims, saying he had great regrets.
Rupert Murdoch said his appearance was the "most humble day of my life". He said he was not aware of the extent of phone hacking at the company until earlier this year when it handed over new information to the police - triggering a new inquiry. He said the News of the World was "just 1%" of his worldwide business and that he employed "people I trust to run these divisions". James Murdoch, chairman of News International, said the firm failed to live up to "the standards they aspired to" and was "determined to put things right and make sure they do not happen again".
He added: "I would like to say just how sorry I am and how sorry we are to particularly the victims of illegal voicemail interceptions and to their families." Opening the hearing, culture, media and sport committee chairman John Whittingdale said abuses had been uncovered "which had shocked and angered the country" and it was clear Parliament had been misled. The Murdochs initially declined to appear before the committee but changed their minds after they were issued with a summons to attend.
The two are likely to be questioned about what they knew about phone hacking at the News of the World and whether MPs and the police were misled about the extent of it. They are also likely to be quizzed about alleged payments to police officers by NoW journalists and out-of-court settlements paid to victims of phone hacking. Facing questions from MPs earlier, Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson denied any impropriety in the hiring of former News of the World journalist Neil Wallis to provide media support to the police force but said he now regretted the appointment.
Mr Wallis was recently arrested as part of the phone-hacking inquiry. Sir Paul, who quit on Sunday amid criticism of his force's handling of the phone-hacking saga, also denied "taking a swipe" in his resignation letter at David Cameron's decision to employ Andy Coulson - Mr Wallis' ex-boss - as an aide.
Source: BBC
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