FT: James Murdoch letter 'expresses regret over hacking'

James Murdoch has written a "lengthy letter" to the culture, media and sport select committee in which he "expresses deep regret for the phone hacking scandal", according to the Financial Times.

In a report today [registration wall] the FT claims that the letter also includes a repeat of past statements by Murdoch that he was not aware of the alleged wrongdoing while chairman of News International.

"In his letter, Mr Murdoch accepts responsibility for not uncovering wrongdoing at NI earlier and he makes a personal apology to those who have had their privacy invaded," the FT reports.

The alleged letter comes after an announcement by News Corporation that James Murdoch had "relinquished his position" as executive chairman of News International following a move to New York.

James Murdoch's promotion to deputy chief operating officer of News Corporation was announced last year, a role in which it is understood he will have more of a focus on the company's global television business.

According to the FT in his latest letter to the committee Murdoch "explains his decision to step down as News International chairman last month to focus on pay-TV".

The committee has declined to comment or confirm receipt of the letter and News Corporation had not responded to a request at the time of writing.

Since giving evidence to the select committee on two occasions Murdoch has continued to "reaffirm" his testimony that he "was not aware of evidence that either pointed to widespread wrongdoing or indicated that further investigation was necessary".

Such reaffirmation came in December last year after an email exchange between him and former News of the World editor Colin Myler from 7 June 2008 emerged.

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