The board of BSkyB has unanimously backed James Murdoch to stay on as chairman of the satellite broadcaster, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Thursday.

James Murdoch will stay on as chairman, the source said following a board meeting ahead of full-year results from BSkyB on Friday.

The role of chairman was discussed at some length, the source said, adding that the board would monitor external issues that might prove to be relevant to Murdoch's role.

Rupert murdoch