Murdochs likely to appear before UK parliament panel tomorrow

As the phone-hacking scandal reaches Rupert Murdoch, the chairman and chief executive of media juggernaut News Corp, has been asked to appear before MPs on the House of Commons culture select committee along with son James and News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks to answer questions about the phone-hacking scandal in which the group is embroiled.

Labour parliamentarian Tom Watson, who sits on the house's culture, media and sport committee – which scrutinises the media – said the panel wanted to speak to the trio at a session next week.

The committee has twice published critical reports looking into the affair, has written to the trio of executives inviting them to appear.

News International, the British arm run by James Murdoch, said in a statement, "We have been made aware of the request from the CMS select committee to interview senior executives and will cooperate. We await the formal invitation."

The parliament committee, chaired by Tory MP John Whittingdale, cannot compel witnesses to appear. But as the scandal has wide implications that involve News Corp's strongly opposed attempt to buy out broadcaster BSkyB; and most observers feel an appearance by News Corp bigwigs is inevitable if only to satisfy public appetite.

Brooks refused to appear before the select committee when it carried out its second inquiry into phone hacking at the News of the World early this year. The Murdochs too have never been called to give evidence to parliament; but this may mark a first.