James Murdoch receives unanimous backing from BSkyB

BSkyB has confirmed News International chairman James Murdoch will remain chairman of the broadcaster after receiving unanimous backing from the board.

Earlier this month, the BBC's business editor Robert Peston claimed it was likely Murdoch would be asked to stand-down temporarily, in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.

At the time this was disputed by the Guardian, with reporter Lisa O'Carroll saying BSkyB had said "it did not expect James Murdoch to be pushed".

Today (29 July), as the company reported its results for the year ending 30 June, it confirmed the board would return "to normal processes" following the withdrawal of News Corporation's bid for BSkyB. This included confirmation that Murdoch is staying put.

Responding to the news, Peston reported that one member of the board has told him the decision to back Murdoch "could not be seen as being forever".

"If evidence were to emerge that damaged the credibility of Mr Murdoch then the board would have to reconsider whether he needed to stand down," Peston claimed.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, Jeremy Darroch, BSkyB's chief executive, said the board will "keep an eye on external events" but that Murdoch had strong support.

"There was a long discussion yesterday and the outcome was the board was unanimous in support for James as chairman," he said.

"I think James has got strong support in the shareholder base, he's got strong support in the management base and unanimous support on the board."

"I've worked closely with James over the last seven years and in my experience he's always acted with the highest degree of integrity, in the best interest of the company."

In its results today BSkyB reported 16 per cent growth in total revenue to £6.597 billion, although earnings per shares have fallen by 15 per cent.

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