What next for the News Corp execs?
Q Can Hinton, Myler and Crone be punished for misleading the committee?
A It is now up to Parliament to decide whether the three News Corp executives have committed a contempt, and if so, what punishment should be imposed. A possible outcome is that they will be called to the House of Commons to apologise to Parliament, but as culture committee chair John Whittingdale MP said yesterday, this is “uncharted water”.
Q So has this never happened before?
A It has, but not since January 1957 when John Junor, then editor of the Sunday Express, was brought to the Commons to apologise for printing certain comments about MPs.
Q Are Hinton, Myler and Crone likely to apologise without fuss?
A It is hard to know, but all three issued statements in their defence yesterday. Hinton said he was “shocked and disappointed” at the report, adding “I refute these accusations utterly”. Crone claimed the report “demonstrates serious flaws” and “lacks foundation”, while Myler – current editor of the New York Daily News – said he stands by his original evidence.