AN UPDATE ABOUT THE PHONE HACKING SCANDAL

MPs to question Murdoch's over hacking

 

This round-up of Tuesday's main media stories focuses on the latest developments in the phone-hacking scandal.

Rupert and James Murdoch and former News International executive Rebekah Brooks will be quizzed by MPs later about the phone-hacking scandal, reporters BBC news. The Murdoch's agreed to appear before the Commons media committee after it issued a summons. The MPs have questions over evidence given by Mrs Brooks and Andy Coulson - both ex-News of the World editors - at a hearing in 2003. Two senior police figures who quit over the scandal also face MPs' questions. Assistant Commissioner John Yates quit on Monday over the hiring of former News of the World journalist Neil Wallis as a PR consultant.
The guardian is a among the newspapers to report  Sean Hoare, the former News of the World reporter who was the first named journalist to allege that Andy Coulson was aware of phone hacking by his staff, has been found dead. The paper says Mr Hoare, who was dismissed for drink and drugs problems, was said to have been found at his Watford home. Hertfordshire police would not confirm his identity, but said in a statement: "The death is currently being treated as unexplained but not thought to be suspicious. Police investigations into this incident are ongoing."
Daily Mail editor-in-chief Paul Dacre has told a parliamentary committee he had never "countenanced" phone hacking or blagging at his newspaper, reports BBC news . He told the committee both acts were clearly "criminal". Asked if his newspaper had ever published a story based on a hacked message he said: "Absolutely not".

Rebekah Brooks: flame-haired Queen of Fleet Street

Turning someone over one day and having them thank you for it the next is said to be the ultimate art of the tabloid hack. If that is the case then Rebekah Brooks - who has resigned in the wake of the News of the World phone-hacking scandal - was, until recently, a master of the profession.

The flame haired, 43-year-old ability to get the scoop and rise up the corporate ladder were down to a potent mix of ruthlessness and dazzling charm.

That and an extraordinary ability to make friends in high places meant the guest list to her wedding two years ago read like a Who's Who of modern Britain.

She has risen from the very bottom to the very top of the profession.

She started life as a secretary and 22 years later ended up as the right hand woman of the most powerful man in world of journalism.

The fact it took 12 days before she was finally let go from New International shows how far she has ingratiated herself in to the Rupert Murdoch family.

Leaked audio! Rebekah Brooks faces angry Notw staff (extended)

 

Rebekah Brooks arrested by hacking police

lick to playThe BBC's Mark Sanders: "This is an intriguing development"Continue reading the main storyx-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has been arrested by police investigating phone hacking and bribery at the News of the World.The 43-year-old was arrested by appointment on Sunday on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications and on suspicion of corruption.

Mrs Brooks, who has denied wrongdoing, was released at midnight.
She quit News International on Friday as pressure mounted over her role in the deepening hacking scandal.
Mrs Brooks was editor of the paper between 2000 and 2003, during which time the phone belonging to murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler was tampered with.
BBC Business Editor Robert Peston said News International was not aware that Mrs Brooks would be arrested when her resignation was being discussed at the company on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. She eventually resigned on Friday.
Our correspondent added: "It's certainly the most extraordinary development. Rebekah Brooks is incredibly close to the most powerful people in the UK - the current prime minister, the previous prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. More or less every senior person of influence within Britain."

 

 Today's arrest of Rebekah Brooks, who was until Friday the chief executive of News International, represents perhaps the greatest failure to date in the Murdoch-controlled group's campaign for rehabilitating itself.