Scandal

James Murdoch Could Be Ousted

As new evidence shows British officials met with News Corp. executives.

BSkyB's board meeting Thursday could decide much about James Murdoch's future. Rupert's son, as deputy COO of News Corp. and chairman of BSkyB, attempted to orchestrate a$12 billion takeover of the British broadcaster. However, News Corp. dropped its bid in the wake of the hacking scandal. “The biggest issue is whether James Murdoch is to remain chairman,” said Steve Liechti, an analyst at Investec Securities in London. Meanwhile, more ties between the British government and senior News Corp. executives were revealed Tuesday, as a diary posted on the website of Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne showed cozy relations. Osborne was crucial in bringing in former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as Prime Minister David Cameron’s communications secretary.