Murdoch Protege Rebekah Brooks Arrested
Reported by Ellen - July 17, 2011 -
Rebekah Brooks, Rupert Murdoch's pet and until Friday, the chief executive of News International, News Corporation's U.K. publishing umbrella, was arrested today. It's just the latest bombshell in the huge scandal that is threatening the Murdoch empire on both sides of the Atlantic. UPDATED: There's suspicion that Brooks' arrest may have been conveniently arranged to help her avoid embarrassing the police.
According to The Guardian, Brooks claims she did not know she would be arrested when she resigned from News International on Friday, though she was arrested today "by appointment."
The Guardian reported that Brooks was arrested for participating in phone hacking and in the parallel scandal in England - that the police were bribed in the process.
UPDATE: Brooks had been scheduled to testify at a parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday, along with Rupert Murdoch and son James Murdoch. But her arrest raises new questions about collusion between News Corp. and the police. As Adweek noted:
In the wake of her arrest, Brooks may not testify, or, if she does appear, may keep silent. There have already been suggestions that, given her impending testimony, the timing of her arrest was just a little too convenient, as her silence could help the Metropolitan Police, which has become wrapped up in the scandal recently.
The head of Scotland Yard also resigned today.
