BBC: Brooks to testify to hacking probe committee

[July 18, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- The BBC is reporting that former News International executive Rebekah Brooks will testify to a parliamentary committee examining the phone hacking scandal.

Brooks once edited the News of the World tabloid, where the offenses allegedly occurred.

She was arrested Sunday on hacking charges, so her appearance had been in question. Rupert and James Murdoch are to be grilled by British lawmakers Tuesday over the scandal.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

LONDON (AP) -- Britain's Serious Fraud Office says it will give full consideration to calls for an investigation into phone hacking allegations relating to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

The statement came after lawmaker Tom Watson asked for a probe Monday.

The Serious Fraud Office says it "will give full consideration" to Watson's letter.

It added that it is willing to cooperate with U.S. authorities if they open an investigation into News Corp.-related matters.

[Associated Press]

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