Phone hacking: James Murdoch 'likely' to be recalled by MPs

News International chairman James Murdoch is "likely" to be recalled to give further evidence to the culture, media and sport select committee, MP Tom Watson said today (16 August).

Watson, who sits on the committee, suggested that Murdoch would be recalled alongside former News International legal manager Tom Crone and former News of the World editor Colin Myler to clear up discrepancies in evidence given during earlier committee hearings.

Murdoch claimed during his first appearance before the committee that he had not been made aware of the so-called "for Neville" email, which revealed the existence of a transcript of an intercepted voicemail alleged to have been intended for News of the World senior reporter Neville Thurlbeck.

Crone claims, contrary to Murdoch's evidence, that the News International chairman saw the email prior to signing off on a £1 million settlement with former FA chief Gordon Taylor.

The select committee met this morning to discuss new evidence in the case, and speaking after the meeting Watson said it was now "likely" that Murdoch, Myler and Crone would be recalled.

Asked whether they believed Murdoch has 'misled' the committee, Watson said: "We've not drawn a conclusion from that."

The Labour MP added that the new evidence examined by the committee – reported to relate to former News of the World royal reporter Clive Goodman, who was jailed in 2007 – is "devastating".

Documents submitted to the committee in evidence are due to be published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at 1pm today.

More to follow.

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