by Alex Massie
News International's flawless crisis-management masterclass continued this morning as Rebekah Brooks resigned to spend more time with her lawyers. You might think it would have been wiser for her to go last week when her resignation might have done some good but that's only because you fail to appreciate the genius of the approach favoured by James and Rupert Murdoch.
Elizabeth Murdoch appears to have a firmer grasp of matters. According to the Telegraph, Elizabeth believes that Brooks has "fucked the company" and, well, you can't say much fairer than that. Important shareholders, including Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, News Corp's second-largest shareholder, also appear to have been getting restless (though frankly I'd have thought a Saudi Prince must be pretty high on any list of Unembarrassable People).
Nevertheless, Rupert's devotion to Rebekah – the secretary who rose to run an empire (no mean feat) – has come at a heavy price, costing him the first paper he bought in Britain and much else besides.
Brooks will be replaced as Chief Executive of News International by Tom Mockridge, the New Zealander currently CEO of SKY Italia. Putting a TV man in charge of the British papers will not reassure journalists that their future is secure. Or, to put it another way: how much blood is left in the old man? Murdoch is 80 and while (blessedly) he remains a newspaperman, James Murdoch is a TV chappy with little business or sentimental affection for the inky trade.
Below the fold, Brooks' resignation email, sent to News International employees. I would only note that her "desire to stay on the bridge" did not require her to scuttle her own ship with all hands present.
At News International we pride ourselves on setting the news agenda for the right reasons. Today we are leading the news for the wrong ones.
The reputation of the company we love so much, as well as the press freedoms we value so highly, are all at risk.
As Chief Executive of the company, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the people we have hurt and I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place.
I have believed that the right and responsible action has been to lead us through the heat of the crisis. However my desire to remain on the bridge has made me a focal point of the debate.
This is now detracting [sic] attention from all our honest endeavours to fix the problems of the past.
Therefore I have given Rupert and James Murdoch my resignation. While it has been a subject of discussion, this time my resignation has been accepted.
Rupert’s wisdom, kindness and incisive advice has guided me throughout my career and James is an inspirational leader who has shown me great loyalty and friendship.
I would like to thank them both for their support.
I have worked here for 22 years and I know it to be part of the finest media company in the world.
News International is full of talented, professional and honourable people. I am proud to have been part of the team and lucky to know so many brilliant journalists and media executives.I leave with the happiest of memories and an abundance of friends.
As you can imagine recent times have been tough. I now need to concentrate on correcting the distortions and rebutting the allegations about my record as a journalist, an editor and executive.
My resignation makes it possible for me to have the freedom and the time to give my full cooperation to all the current and future inquiries, the police investigations and the CMS appearance.
I am so grateful for all the messages of support. I have nothing but overwhelming respect for you and our millions of readers.
I wish every one of you all the best.
Rebekah
The Dish 