Phone hacking: News International CEO Rebekah Brooks quits

London, Jul 15: Following the shutdown of tabloid News of the World over phone-hacking scandal, the CEO of New International, Rebekah Brooks, has resigned on Friday, Jul 15.

Her resignation came in wake of media reports the alleged that under her editorship that dubious news-gathering practices took place. Earlier, politicians, shareholders and public demanded for her resignation.

"At News International we pride ourselves on setting the news agenda for the right reasons. Today we are leading the news for the wrong ones," Rebekah Brooks said in a statement sent to News International staffs.

"As Chief Executive of the company, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the people we have hurt and I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place. I have believed that the right and responsible action has been to lead us through the heat of the crisis. However my desire to remain on the bridge has made me a focal point of the debate."

"Therefore, I have given Rupert and James Murdoch my resignation. While it has been a subject of discussion, this time my resignation has been accepted."

Brooks was the centre of attention when reports revealed that the people whose phones were hacked for information included the murdered teenager Milly Dowler, and families of July 7 London bombing victims and kin of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. But, Rupert Murdoch, the founder of News International, backed her and refused to ask her to take responsibility for the illegal practices and resign.

James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, said that News International will run advertisements in major British newspapers this weekend "to apologize to the nation for what has happened."

OneIndia News