News of the World hacking update: Editor Rebekah Brooks arrested, Scotland Yard chief steps down
In major News of the World hacking scandal news, NotW editor-in-chief Rebekah Brooks was arrested today, bringing the arrests into the Murdoch inner circle for the first time. It also raises the possibility that his old friend Les Hinton, who resigned Friday as publisher of The Wall Street Journal, or Murdoch’s 38-year-old son and heir apparent, James, could be next.
And amidst allegations that both the London PD and Scotland Yard botched early investigations by being in the back pocket of Murdoch, London police chief Sir Paul Stephenson announced today that he is stepping down from his post.
“As commissioner, I carry ultimately responsibility for the position we find ourselves in. With hindsight, I wish we had juggled some matters involved in this affair differently. I didn’t and that’s it,” Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson told reporters.
Stephenson stressed that he had behaved ethically, but said he decided to resign because increased scrutiny connected to the case would burden his department and detract from its accomplishments. “I have taken this decision as a consequence of the ongoing speculation and accusations relating to the Met’s links with News International at a senior level,” Stephenson said.
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