James Murdoch, the son of Rupert Murdoch, is expected to follow his father as head of News Corp. He currently serves as chairman of News International, the arm of the media empire run by Brooks, and as the deputy chief operating officer of News Corp, which makes him third in command for the conglomerate, according to BBC. He also formerly led BSkyB, the satellite television channel that until today Rupert Murdoch was set to take over entirely.
It was James Murdoch who made the decision last week to close down News of the World. News International has denied that the chairman knew about the News of the World’s wrongdoing, including the phone hacking.
He appeared before a parliamentary panel with his father on July 19, taking the lead through most of the questioning. He told the panel that he was unaware of the extent of the phone hacking and that when he authorized an out-of-court settlement with an alleged victim, he thought it had been limited to one case.
Later in the week, two former executives said that they told James Murdoch in 2008 that evidence suggested the hacking was more widespread.
Prime Minister David Cameron said that Murdoch would have to address the allegations that he misled parliament and ordered him to appear before parliament once again.
