Directors to discuss future of James Murdoch chairmanship
THE directors of BSkyB will discuss James Murdoch’s position as chairman of the satellite broadcaster at a board meeting on Thursday.
City A.M. understands that a number of independent directors want Murdoch (pictured below) to step down, at least until the police investigation into phone hacking at the News of the World has been completed.
However, sources close to Murdoch said the most likely outcome was that a majority of the board’s 14 directors, some of whom work for News Corp, would continue to back him as chairman, although they said he was taking “nothing for granted”.
Several of BSkyB’s biggest investors, including Crispin Odey of Odey Asset Management, have given their public backing to Murdoch.
However, Odey told the Sunday Telegraph he believes News Corp’s grip on the Sky boardroom is too strong and that it should relinquish one of its appointees.