Fraud Office considering investigation into News Corp
The Serious Fraud Office confirms it is considering calls for it to launch an investigation into News Corporation.
In the latest twist in the phone hacking legal saga, Channel 4 News revealed that SFO investigators were looking at dozens of cases involving News International to establish whether a full formal investigation is required.
Labour MP Tom Watson wrote to the SFO asking it to carry out an inquiry into out-of-court settlements made with victims of News of the World phone hacking.
He wrote to SFO director Richard Alderman asking him to investigate possible breaches of company law by News Corp’s UK newspapers division, News International, over the payments to victims made after the original phone-hacking scandal broke in 2006.
An SFO spokeswoman said: “The SFO can confirm it has today received a letter from Tom Watson MP calling on the SFO to investigate certain allegations relating to News Corp.
“The SFO director, Richard Alderman, will give full consideration to Mr Watson’s letter.
“The SFO is aware that the Metropolitan Police Service is conducting an investigation into alleged improper payments to police officers.
“The SFO is routinely in contact with the US authorities and is ready to assist them if they open an investigation in their jurisdiction into News Corp-related matters.”
Mr Watson sits on the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which will hear evidence tomorrow from Mr Murdoch, his son James and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks.
The SFO would not confirm reports that the US Department of Justice has informally asked it about how to investigate allegations that the News of the World paid police officers for information.
