Statement from Rupert Murdoch On Phone Hacking Controversy (FULL-TEXT)

News Corp. chairman issued the following statement in response to the phone-hacking scandal that has ensnared his paper News of the World. Here he defends Rebekak Brooks, the paper’s chief executive.

Recent allegations of phone hacking and making payments to police with respect to the News of the World are deplorable and unacceptable. I have made clear that our company must fully and proactively cooperate with the police in all investigations and that is exactly what News International has been doing and will continue to do under Rebekah Brooks’ leadership. We are committed to addressing these issues fully and have taken a number of important steps to prevent them from happening again. I have also appointed Joel Klein to provide important oversight and guidance and Joel and Viet Dinh, an Independent Director, are keeping News Corporation’s Board fully advised as well.