Murdoch To Appear Before Parliament Committee Over Phone Hacking Scandal

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Murdoch To Appear Before Parliament Committee Over Phone Hacking Scandal
Jillian Rayfield | July 12, 2011, 10:25AM


The U.K.'s Department of Media, Culture and Sport Committee is summoning Rupert Murdoch of News Corp. to give evidence on the widening News International phone hacking scandal.

British MP Louise Mensch tweeted Tuesday that "The DCMS Select Committee will be summoning Rupert and James Murdoch, and Rebekah Brooks to appear before us re: prior Cttee evidence."

Brooks is chief executive for News International, the branch of News Corp. in charge of Murdoch's print holdings in the U.K.

The Guardian reports that a spokesperson for News International said that Murdoch et al will appear. "We have been made aware of the request from the CMS committee to interview senior executives and will co-operate," the spokesperson said. "We await the formal invitation."

Read more: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/murdoch_to_appear_before_parliament_committee_over.php#more

[brooklynite]

1. I'm not familiar with Parliamentary rules in the UK...

...but I'd hate to think they were getting immunity from self-incrimination.

[dipsydoodle]

2. We have not got your Consitution

nor its 5th Amendment. In a similar way your Constitution could not be used as a defense in an English court e.g. claiming parody as a defense against libel.

[beac]

3. Actually, they are under no obligation to even appear. From what i've been reading,

their pledge to "cooperate" might not include either of the Murdochs or Brooks going before the House of Commons. I'm betting they will stay FAR away.


ETA: WHOOPS! Looks like I bet wrong:

Breaking News John Whittingdale, the chairman of the Culture Media and Sport Committee, tells the BBC that he has been told Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks have accepted the invitation to attend a meeting of the committee.

(from Live Text feed here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14118864 )

Time to run to the store for a jumbo bag of popcorn!:popcorn: