News Corp.’s top management is reportedly starting to plan for the possibility of scion James Murdoch stepping aside, according to Reuters.

James Murdoch, the son of News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch, has been under increasing pressure in the phone-hacking scandal that has led to an inquiry from U.K. lawmakers and the closing of the company’s News of the World tabloid.

Executives want to be prepared if he wants to "take a breather," the story says, citing an unnamed News Corp. source. Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. senior management said it was "absolutely not true" the company was considering the possibility of James Murdoch stepping aside, the piece notes.

Even if he is pressured to leave News Corp., it’s not likely to be permanent, the story says.