| Alan Johnson shadow chancellor in Ed Miliband cabinet Alan Johnson, the former home secretary, has been appointed as shadow chancellor by Ed Miliband, the new Labour leader, his his first cabinet. telegraph.co.uk |
Rupert Murdoch: no evidence of widespread NoW phone hacking News Corp chief dismisses New York Times exposé and defends $2m donation to Republican partyNews Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch has insisted there is no evidence of widespread phone hacking at the News of the World.Speaking for the first time since the Guardian revealed that News Corp's UK subsidiary had paid more than £1m in out-of-court settlements to three victims of the practice, Murdoch stuck firmly to the company line."We have very, very strict rules," he said. "There was one incident more than five years ago ... the person who bought the bugged conversation was immediately fired. If anything was to come to light, and we have challenged those people who have made allegations to provide evidence ... we would take immediate action."Murdoch was referring to former News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman, who was fired from the paper after he was jailed for illegally intercepting voicemail messages left on mobile phones belonging to members of the royal household.He was addressing News Corp's annual general meeting in New York, where he was quizzed by shareholders about the phone-hacking revelations.Asked about a lengthy article in the New York Times, which contained new claims from a former reporter at the News of the World about the extent of the practice, Murdoch said: "Journalists who have been fired or unhappy or who are now working for other organisations I do not take as authority."He added: "I don't take the New York Times, who are the most motivated in this, as authority."The New York Times is a rival of the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal.Murdoch said he had not read the New York Times article.The News Corp chief, who is almost 80, was also asked when he plans to retire. "When my health gives out I will get out of the way, not before," he responded.He also defended the company's decision to donate $2m to the Republican party, insisting it was "in the best interests of the country"."In the case of these two donations we judged it to be in the best interests of the company," said Murdoch. "It had nothing to do with editorial policy or journalism ... or anything else. We believe it is certainly in the interests of the country, shareholders and prosperity that there is a fair amount of change in Washington."Company director Rod Eddington said that the donations had been approved internally on the basis of advice from the management team and by general counsel for News Corporation.Murdoch said: "We consider it [donations of this nature] from time to time. I don't believe we will be doing it again."Asked whether shareholders would be consulted he emphatically responded: "No. You have the right to vote us off the board if you don't like it."• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.• If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".Rupert MurdochNews of the World phone-hacking scandalNewspapers & magazinesNewspapersNews of the WorldNational newspapersNews CorporationMedia businessRepublicansUnited StatesMark Sweneyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
'Murdered' baby's paternity doubt A mother claimed her sister's ex-boyfriend, accused of murdering her baby, could have been the father, a court hears. bbc.co.uk |
In Euro Zone, Some See Risk of Currency Breakup Few economists predict the euro zone will splinter, but many more see some breakup risk. However, for strong and weak members, a return to national currencies would be painful. nytimes.com |
BBC to break ranks on public sector pay The BBC has ignored pleas for public sector pay restraint with a multimillion-pound offer to boost the salaries of more than 13,000 workers. timesonline.co.uk |