| Rebekah Brooks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Rebekah Brooks | |||
| Born |
| ||
| Occupation | Journalist, newspaper editor[3] | ||
| Spouse(s) |
| ||
| Notablecredit(s) | The Post, The Sun, News of the World[3] | ||
Murdoch says 'this is the most humble day of my life' at phone-hacking probe
Last Updated: 3:25 PM, July 19, 2011
Posted: 9:48 AM, July 19, 2011
LONDON -- Rupert Murdoch told UK lawmakers investigating the phone-hacking scandal Tuesday that "this is the most humble day of my life."
The News Corp. chairman and chief executive was appearing alongside his son, James, News Corp. deputy chief operating officer, before lawmakers on the Culture, Media and Sport parliamentary committee in central London.
The hearing was suspended briefly after a man attacked Rupert Murdoch with a shaving foam pie.
James Murdoch opened by saying he was sorry about the phone-hacking, calling it "a matter of personal regret of mine and my father's and everyone at News Corporation."
"These actions do not live up to the standards our company aspires to everywhere around the world," he said. "It is our determination both to put things right, make sure these things don't happen again, and to be the company that I know that we have always aspired to be."
Asked about their preparation for Tuesday's hearing, James Murdoch answered they "were advised fundamentally to tell the truth" and that was what they were seeking to do.
It has emerged that as many as 4,000 people may have had their cell phones hacked by private investigators working for the News of the World (NotW), including the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, the families of British terror victims and the relatives of dead soldiers.
Rupert Murdoch told the committee he was "shocked, appalled and ashamed by the Milly Dowler case" and had apologized in person to her family. He went further in a statement prepared for the hearing.
"At no time do I remember being as sickened as when I heard what the Dowler family had to endure -- nor do I recall being as angry as when I was told that the News of the World could have compounded their distress. I want to thank the Dowlers for graciously giving me the opportunity to apologize in person," he wrote.
During intense questioning from lawmakers, the 80-year-old Murdoch disputed an assertion that he was ultimately responsible for the crisis as head of the global corporation, but he suggested it was perhaps "the people that I trusted and then, maybe, the people they trusted."
At times the News Corp. chairman appeared hesitant and apologetic for being unable to answer questions about the details of the internal investigations within News International and about decisions made on his behalf.
"The News of the World is less than one percent of our company. I employ 53,000 people around the world who are proud and great and ethical and distinguished people, professionals in their work," Rupert Murdoch said. "I'm spread watching and appointing people whom I trust to run those divisions."
Posts
