Ex-News Intl. exec contradicts Murdoch evidence

LONDON -- Former News International legal chief Tom Crone has told members of Parliament that he was "certain" that he had told James Murdoch about an email that revealed that phone hacking at the News of the World went beyond one reporter. Speaking to a committee on Tuesday, Crone said that back in 2008 he had informed Murdoch, who was then chief exec of News International, about the notorious "For Neville" email that proved that more than one "rogue reporter" -- referring to royal correspondent Clive Goodman, aided by private investigator Glenn Mulcaire -- used illegal phone hacking methods to obtain stories at the paper. The email is alleged to have implicated the Brit tabloid's chief reporter at the time, Neville Thurlbeck, in illegal activity. This revelation from Crone contradicts previous evidence that Murdoch gave in July before a Parliamentary committee, where he denied any knowledge of such an email. Crone said that he told Murdoch about the document -- a transcript of hacked private information about Gordon Taylor, chief exec of the Footballers' Association -- in a 15-minute meeting three years ago, which was also attended by Colin Myer, then editor of the News of the World. Crone added that it was at that meeting that he had been authorized by Murdoch to reach a 425,000 ($677,219) settlement with Taylor. Shortly after Crone's appearance in front of the committee, James Murdoch issued a statement saying he stands by the evidence he gave to the select committee back in July. My recollection of the meeting regarding the Gordon Taylor settlement is absolutely clear and consistent," said Murdoch in the statement. "I stand by my testimony, which is an accurate account of events. I was told by Mr. Crone and Mr. Myler when we met, in that short meeting, that the civil litigation related to the interception of Mr. Taylor's voicemails to which Mulcaire had pleaded guilty the previous year. I was informed, for the first time, that there was evidence that Mulcaire had carried out this interception on behalf of the News of the World. It was for this reason alone that Mr. Crone and Mr. Myler recommended settlement. It was in this context that the evidence was discussed. They did not show me the email, nor did they refer to Neville Thurlbeck." Crone's testimony, which saw him give evidence along with Myler, puts further pressure on James Murdoch after the phone-hacking scandal forced him to shutter 168-year-old News of the World in July. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com