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Former Editor Arrested, Murdoch Family Member Faces Questioning in News of the World Phone-Hacking Scandal

Jul 8, 2011  •  Post A Comment

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday that James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks are likely to face police questioning over the phone-hacking scandal that led to the shutdown of the tabloid News of the World, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

At a press conference, Cameron sought to distance himself from the Murdoch family, with whom he has enjoyed a close friendship for many years, the story notes. Rupert Murdoch, the father of James Murdoch, is the chief executive officer of News Corp., which owns News of the World. Rebekah Brooks is the chief executive of News International and previously was the deputy editor of News of the World. James Murdoch is chairman and CEO of News Corp. Europe and Asia.

“I don’t know what these people at News International did know or didn’t know. Frankly, I don’t think any of us know. The key thing is that they are going to be investigated to the police," Cameron said. He noted that the investigation facing senior News International executives is of a criminal nature, the story adds.

“It won’t be a question of whether they have jobs or whether they are going to resign from those jobs, it’s a question of whether they are going to be prosecuted, whether they are going to be convicted, whether they are going to be punished. That is what is going to happen,” Cameron said.

Andy Coulson, the former News of the World editor and the former press spokesman for the prime minister, has been arrested, according to The Guardian. Scotland Yard said he was in custody and would be questioned in connection with allegations of phone hacking and corruption, the story notes.

As previously reported, the News of the World will be shut down following a final edition on Sunday, which will appear without ads.

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