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July 22, 2011

Ex-News Execs: James Murdoch Mislead British Lawmakers on Hacking 
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News International head James Murdoch is being accused of misleading
British lawmakers in testimony this week on the phone scandal engulfing
the Murdoch media empire. Murdoch told a parliamentary committee he was
unaware of widespread evidence phone hacking at the News
International-owned News of the World when he approved a costly
settlement in an individual case. But on Thursday, two former News
International executives said they had expressly told Murdoch of an
email that would undermine the company's claims that phone hacking was
only committed by one rogue reporter. British lawmakers say they plan to
ask Murdoch to explain the differing accounts. In a separate
development, a former News of the World private investigator at the
heart of the scandal addressed rumors News International is refusing to
pay his legal fees. The prospect of News International withholding
support has fueled speculation, the investigator, Glenn Mulcaire, could
identify company executives involved in the phone hacking. Mulcaire
refused to answer questions about his plans.

Glenn Mulcaire: "Well, as you can appreciate, we are in the middle of a
number of inquiries at the moment and it's a very fluid and developing
situation. And … Like I said, the developments have been different
from day to day and I have no further comment to make at this stage.
However, this may change. Thank you very much."



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