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Phone hacking: MPs 'could summon Rebekah Brooks' Phone hacking: Rebekah Brooks to face MPs
(40 minutes later)
MPs are meeting to decide whether to summon News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal. News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks will appear infront of MPs to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal on Tuesday.
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. News Corp's Rupert Murdoch declined to attend the Commons media committee. His son James said he was unavailable that day. Both have been summonsed by MPs.
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 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.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.
Neil 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.
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.
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.
"It would show a little bit of leadership, it would be the first step in lancing this giant boil," she said."It would show a little bit of leadership, it would be the first step in lancing this giant boil," she said.
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: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
  • 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 has published 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.
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."
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.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.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.