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Phone hacking: MPs 'could summon Rebekah Brooks' Phone hacking: MPs 'could summon Rebekah Brooks'
(40 minutes later)
MPs are to meet later to decide whether to summon News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal. MPs are meeting to decide whether to summon News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal.
The Commons media committee also wants to question News Corporation's Rupert and James Murdoch but cannot force them to appear as they are not UK citizens.The Commons media committee also wants to question News Corporation's Rupert and James Murdoch but cannot force them to appear as they are not UK citizens.
Rupert Murdoch has shut down the News of the World newspaper over the scandal and dropped his bid to control BSkyB.Rupert Murdoch has shut down the News of the World newspaper over the scandal and dropped his bid to control BSkyB.
Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man has been arrested over phone hacking.Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man has been arrested over phone hacking.
The man was taken for questioning at a police station in west London on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications as part of Operation Weeting - the police investigation into mobile interceptions by News International - a Scotland Yard spokesman said. The BBC understands the man is Neil Wallis, the former executive editor of the News of the World. Mr Wallis was arrested by officers from Operating Weeting on Thursday morning and has been taken for questioning at a police station in west London on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications.
US politicians are also demanding a probe into phone hacking allegations.US politicians are also demanding a probe into phone hacking allegations.
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.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that if the Murdochs had "one shred of a sense of responsibility or accountability for their position of power, then they should come and explain themselves before a Commons select committee".
"It cannot be right that - what appears to be the case - is that a number of journalists and people working in the News of the World office lose their jobs and yet people higher up the food chain - so far at least - are not taking any accountability for what happened at all," he said.
He also said there were "big questions about the fitness and properness" of News International that had to be answered, but unacceptable practices had spread much wider than the company and drastic action was needed to "clean things up".
Conservative MP Louise Mensch, who is a member of the committee, said the Murdochs should take the opportunity to appear before it on Tuesday next week.Conservative MP Louise Mensch, who is a member of the committee, said the Murdochs should take the opportunity to appear before it on Tuesday next week.
She said: "We have powers over British citizens, in other words over Mrs Brooks. "It would show a little bit of leadership, it would be the first step in lancing this giant boil," she said.
"Rupert and James Murdoch are American citizens, we don't have any power over them, but I think it would surprise everybody if they were to have the guts to show up.
"It would show a little bit of leadership, it would be the first step in lancing this giant boil."
News International declined to comment on who might attend the committee.News International declined to comment on who might attend the committee.
In other developments:
  • Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has urged Rebekah 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
  • Chief Constable of Surrey Police Mark Rowley has told BBC Surrey he is "immensely frustrated" that because of the Metropolitan Police investigation he is not able to respond to claims his force was aware that murdered 13-year-old Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked
  • The government said it will publish the advice given to Gordon Brown over launching an inquiry into News International, after the ex-prime minister claimed officials talked him out of taking action. Mr Brown said Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell warned him not to start a probe in 2010, as it was too close to a general election
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.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt had referred News Corporation's bid to acquire the 61% of shares it does not already own in BSkyB to the Competition Commission.Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt had referred News Corporation's bid to acquire the 61% of shares it does not already own in BSkyB to the Competition Commission.
Despite the company's announcement, MPs from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and smaller parties backed a Labour motion condemning the plans without the need for a vote.Despite the company's announcement, MPs from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and smaller parties backed a Labour motion condemning the plans without the need for a vote.
The 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.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke out in the Commons on Wednesday against alleged law-breaking on an "industrial scale" at News International. He also said there had not been private deals with the company when he was in Downing Street.
Slowly but surely the phone-hacking scandal is crossing the Atlantic - as members of Congress demand action on two fronts.Slowly but surely the phone-hacking scandal is crossing the Atlantic - as members of Congress demand action on two fronts.
First, there's a call for the FBI to investigate whether journalists broke wiretap laws by targeting the phones of Americans.First, there's a call for the FBI to investigate whether journalists broke wiretap laws by targeting the phones of Americans.
It follows a report that the News of the World approached a New York police officer and attempted to buy the phone records of people who died on 9/11.It follows a report that the News of the World approached a New York police officer and attempted to buy the phone records of people who died on 9/11.
One congressman from New York said British reporters appeared to have engaged in "parasitic" behaviour.One congressman from New York said British reporters appeared to have engaged in "parasitic" behaviour.
The other call is for the Department of Justice and stock- market regulators to investigate reported payments to British police officers.The other call is for the Department of Justice and stock- market regulators to investigate reported payments to British police officers.
Potentially, that could expose News International's parent company, News Corporation, to charges under US anti-corruption laws.Potentially, that could expose News International's parent company, News Corporation, to charges under US anti-corruption laws.
With political pressure coming from Democrats and Republicans, a Justice Department spokeswoman said their requests for an investigation were "being reviewed."With political pressure coming from Democrats and Republicans, a Justice Department spokeswoman said their requests for an investigation were "being reviewed."
Mr Brown also suggested he had considered launching an inquiry into alleged phone hacking in early 2010 but was advised against it by Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service Sir Gus O'Donnell. This advice Mr Brown then followed. The 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.
He has subsequently agreed that the advice he received can be published. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke out in the Commons on Wednesday against alleged law-breaking on an "industrial scale" at News International. He also said there had not been private deals with the company when he was in Downing Street.
Meanwhile, Democratic senator Jay Rockefeller said US authorities should consider whether journalists working for News Corp had broken US law.Meanwhile, Democratic senator Jay Rockefeller said US authorities should consider whether journalists working for News Corp had broken US law.
Mr Rockefeller, who chairs the Senate's commerce committee, expressed concern that phone hacking may have extended to American targets, including victims of 9/11, although he presented no evidence.Mr Rockefeller, who chairs the Senate's commerce committee, expressed concern that phone hacking may have extended to American targets, including victims of 9/11, although he presented no evidence.
More congressmen, including the first major Republican, Peter King, called for a federal investigation into News Corp's actions.More congressmen, including the first major Republican, Peter King, called for a federal investigation into News Corp's actions.
Others included senators Frank Lautenberg, Robert Menendez and Barbara Boxer.Others included senators Frank Lautenberg, Robert Menendez and Barbara Boxer.
Rupert Murdoch's American assets include the Wall Street Journal and Fox News.Rupert Murdoch's American assets include the Wall Street Journal and Fox News.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has announced the terms of an independent inquiry into the hacking affair, which he said would examine the practices of the press.UK Prime Minister David Cameron has announced the terms of an independent inquiry into the hacking affair, which he said would examine the practices of the press.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told BBC Two's Newsnight that any attempt by Rupert Murdoch to revisit the BSkyB deal would have to take into account the findings of both the inquiry and the police investigation into phone hacking.
He said: "It may be the case that in the course of that process we collectively come to the conclusion we need to change the law that governs media ownership and issues around concentration of power in the media."