Rebekah Brooks: Staying on - but no longer in charge of in-house inquiry

Published on Friday 8 July 2011 19:19

THE executive at the centre of the storm, Rebekah Brooks, was last night still in post as News International chief executive - although she has confirmed she was no longer in charge of the company's investigation into alleged phone hacking.

In a letter to staff, she also pledged to find as many News of the World staff as possible jobs within the group, and told them they would be paid for three months.

Mrs Brooks said: "People have asked if it is right for me, as CEO of News International and as the editor of the News of the World until January 2003, to oversee our efforts to assess allegations, address serious issues and prevent them from happening again. I'm determined that News International does this.

"For the avoidance of any doubt, however, the News Corporation independent directors agree with James Murdoch's recommendation that the management and standards committee, comprised of Will Lewis, Simon Greenberg and Jeff Palker, report directly to Joel Klein in New York. Joel is leading and directing the company's overall handling of this matter."

Paying tribute to the "hugely talented, dedicated and professional" team at the News of the World, she said they should feel proud of their achievements.

Her letter also said: "I would like to address several additional points relating to the ongoing police inquiries and my role.

"News International is not leading an investigation into itself because that could interfere with the work of the Metropolitan Police.

"We are all clear about one thing: the police will follow the evidence no matter where it takes them.

"The strongest action will be taken whenever wrongdoing is proven."