Hacking scandal: Ex-editor disputes James Murdoch evidence

JAMES Murdoch's evidence to MPs on phone hacking has been called into question by two former News International executives, it emerged last night.

The chairman of News International told a committee of MPs this week that he was not "aware" of an e-mail suggesting that phone hacking went beyond the actions of one "rogue" reporter at the News of the World.

Yesterday, Colin Myler, editor of the tabloid until it closed earlier this month, and the company's former legal manager, Tom Crone, issued a statement disputing Mr Murdoch's evidence.

They said that they told him about an e-mail, sent at the time News International was authorising an out-of-court settlement to Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association over the hacking of his phone, which made clear that the practice was more widespread than had been admitted.

When Mr Murdoch appeared before MPs on the culture, media and sport committee on Tuesday, he was asked by Tom Watson if he had seen the e-mail at the time he signed off the 600,000 payment to Mr Taylor.

Mr Murdoch replied: "No, I was not aware of that at the time."

John Whittingdale, chairman of the committee of MPs, said Mr Murdoch could be asked to return and clarify his evidence.

Last night, News International's parent company, News Corp, said Mr Murdoch "stands by his testimony".