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Rupert Murdoch's News UK under formal investigation by Metropolitan Police for phone hacking and bribery charges

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By Stephen Lepitak, -

August 17, 2013 | 2 min read

News UK is being investigated as a “corporate suspect” by Metropolitan Police over phone hacking and bribery offences, with senior members of staff being formally questioned, which could pose problems for its business operations in the US.

The Independent has reported that, following a number of members of staff being charged over phone hacking within its now closed Sunday title, The News of the World as well as for bribing public officials, the company itself is now being investigated.

It claims that senior management members were formally questioned earlier this year as part of an “active investigation” with US executives reacting by ordering co-operation with the police to be scaled back.

The Independent also claims that an internal analysis of the effects of the charge by News Corporation could “kill the corporation and 46,000 jobs would be in jeopardy”.

Earlier this year, Rupert Murdoch broke up News Corporation’s operations into two in order to protect the US business from the investigation, with 21st Century Fox operating as the entertainment arm. News International has also since rebranded to become News UK.

It is reported that the break up was announced a month after News Corporation was informed that it was under formal investigation in May.

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