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Phone hacking: MPs summons Murdochs Phone hacking: MPs summons Murdochs
(40 minutes later)
News Corporation's Rupert and James Murdoch have been summonsed to appear before MPs to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal on Tuesday.News Corporation's Rupert and James Murdoch have been summonsed to appear before MPs to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal on Tuesday.
But as US citizens, Rupert Murdoch, who has declined a request to attend the Commons media committee, and his son James, who has offered to go on another day, cannot be forced to appear.But as US citizens, Rupert Murdoch, who has declined a request to attend the Commons media committee, and his son James, who has offered to go on another day, cannot be forced to appear.
News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has agreed to attend.News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has agreed to attend.
Rupert Murdoch has said he will appear before the judge-led public inquiry.Rupert Murdoch has said he will appear before the judge-led public inquiry.
Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man arrested on Thursday morning is understood by the BBC to be Neil Wallis, the former executive editor of the News of the World.Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man arrested on Thursday morning is understood by the BBC to be Neil Wallis, the former executive editor of the News of the World.
Mr Wallis, a former member of the Editors' Code of Practice Committee, is the ninth person to be arrested since the Metropolitan Police launched a fresh investigation in January. He has been taken for questioning at a police station in west London on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications.Mr Wallis, a former member of the Editors' Code of Practice Committee, is the ninth person to be arrested since the Metropolitan Police launched a fresh investigation in January. He has been taken for questioning at a police station in west London on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications.
Serious questionsSerious questions
The Murdoch-owned News of the World was shut down last week amid the mounting scandal over the alleged hacking of phones belonging to crime victims, politicians and celebrities.The Murdoch-owned News of the World was shut down last week amid the mounting scandal over the alleged hacking of phones belonging to crime victims, politicians and celebrities.
Police are contacting about 30 suspected hacking victims a week, the BBC understands, after investigations identified some 4,000 possible targets.Police are contacting about 30 suspected hacking victims a week, the BBC understands, after investigations identified some 4,000 possible targets.
Parliament could be heading for uncharted waters in terms of how to deal with Rupert and James Murdoch if they do not agree to appear before an influential committee of MPs.Parliament could be heading for uncharted waters in terms of how to deal with Rupert and James Murdoch if they do not agree to appear before an influential committee of MPs.
The Leader of the House of Commons, Sir George Young, has said he wants to take advice on how to proceed. He told MPs that if the Murdochs failed to attend the select committee on culture, media and sport, despite being issued with a summons, the pair would be in contempt of Parliament.The Leader of the House of Commons, Sir George Young, has said he wants to take advice on how to proceed. He told MPs that if the Murdochs failed to attend the select committee on culture, media and sport, despite being issued with a summons, the pair would be in contempt of Parliament.
They could, it seems, then be hauled to the Bar of the House of Commons and be admonished by the Speaker for their non-appearance. What action can be taken beyond that is unclear because it hasn't happened in modern times.They could, it seems, then be hauled to the Bar of the House of Commons and be admonished by the Speaker for their non-appearance. What action can be taken beyond that is unclear because it hasn't happened in modern times.
Sir George referred to possible fines and imprisonment - but added that was in times gone by.Sir George referred to possible fines and imprisonment - but added that was in times gone by.
There is still a question mark over whether foreign nationals like the Murdochs can be summonsed to the House of Commons. Either way, Parliament could find itself in an unprecedented situation.There is still a question mark over whether foreign nationals like the Murdochs can be summonsed to the House of Commons. Either way, Parliament could find itself in an unprecedented situation.
The family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead by police in July 2005, says the details of the mobile phone of his cousin were found in documents seized by police.The family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead by police in July 2005, says the details of the mobile phone of his cousin were found in documents seized by police.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has urged Mrs Brooks and Rupert and James Murdoch to do the "decent thing" and appear before the committee of MPs. He has also called for "fundamental reform" of the British media, based on the principles of "freedom, accountability, plurality", and called for independent regulation of the press
  • Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has urged Mrs Brooks and Rupert and James Murdoch to do the "decent thing" and appear before the committee of MPs. He has also called for "fundamental reform" of the British media, based on the principles of "freedom, accountability, plurality", and called for independent regulation of the press
On Tuesday, the Commons culture, media and sport committee invited Mrs Brooks and the Murdochs to give evidence at the House of Commons about the phone-hacking scandal.On Tuesday, the Commons culture, media and sport committee invited Mrs Brooks and the Murdochs to give evidence at the House of Commons about the phone-hacking scandal.
In a statement, the MPs said that serious questions had arisen about the evidence Mrs Brooks and Andy Coulson, both of them former News of the World editors, gave at a previous hearing in 2003.In a statement, the MPs said that serious questions had arisen about the evidence Mrs Brooks and Andy Coulson, both of them former News of the World editors, gave at a previous hearing in 2003.
Possible sanctionsPossible sanctions
In his letter to committee chairman John Whittingdale, Rupert Murdoch said that although he was not available on Tuesday, he was "fully prepared" to give evidence to the judge-led inquiry announced by the government.In his letter to committee chairman John Whittingdale, Rupert Murdoch said that although he was not available on Tuesday, he was "fully prepared" to give evidence to the judge-led inquiry announced by the government.
James Murdoch offered to appear on an alternative date, the earliest of which was 10 August.James Murdoch offered to appear on an alternative date, the earliest of which was 10 August.
Mrs Brooks said she "welcomed the opportunity" to give evidence.Mrs Brooks said she "welcomed the opportunity" to give evidence.
But, in a statement, the MPs said: "The committee has made clear its view that all three should appear to account for the behaviour of News International and for previous statements made to the committee in Parliament, now acknowledged to be false.But, in a statement, the MPs said: "The committee has made clear its view that all three should appear to account for the behaviour of News International and for previous statements made to the committee in Parliament, now acknowledged to be false.
"Accordingly, the committee has this morning decided to summon Rupert Murdoch and James Murdoch to appear before the Select Committee in Parliament at 2.30pm on Tuesday July 19 2011.""Accordingly, the committee has this morning decided to summon Rupert Murdoch and James Murdoch to appear before the Select Committee in Parliament at 2.30pm on Tuesday July 19 2011."
Mr Whittingdale said the Deputy Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons would now deliver the summons to the Murdochs in person. It is the first summons to be issued by a parliamentary select committee for almost 20 years, since the sons of the late newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell were ordered to appear in 1992.
Mr Whittingdale said the Deputy Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons would deliver the summons to the Murdochs in person.
BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said the committee expected the Murdochs to have a response ready, which the Deputy Sergeant at Arms would collect and bring back to the MPs.BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said the committee expected the Murdochs to have a response ready, which the Deputy Sergeant at Arms would collect and bring back to the MPs.
Our correspondent said if the Murdochs declined to attend the hearing, the matter would then be reported to the House of Commons which could decide the Murdochs were in contempt of Parliament.Our correspondent said if the Murdochs declined to attend the hearing, the matter would then be reported to the House of Commons which could decide the Murdochs were in contempt of Parliament.
The committee was not clear what happened after that because it had not happened for many years, and was taking advice from the Speaker's Council, he added.The committee was not clear what happened after that because it had not happened for many years, and was taking advice from the Speaker's Council, he added.
The Leader of the House Sir George Young said there were a range of sanctions available if individuals failed to respond to summons to appear before a select committee - including fines and imprisonment - although he said the latter had not been used for some time.The Leader of the House Sir George Young said there were a range of sanctions available if individuals failed to respond to summons to appear before a select committee - including fines and imprisonment - although he said the latter had not been used for some time.
On Wednesday Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, whose UK arm - News International - owns the Sun, the Times, the Sunday Times and the now closed News of the World, dropped a bid to take complete control of satellite broadcaster BSkyB.On Wednesday Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, whose UK arm - News International - owns the Sun, the Times, the Sunday Times and the now closed News of the World, dropped a bid to take complete control of satellite broadcaster BSkyB.