Ex-NOTW Execs Challenge Murdoch's Evidence

James Murdoch's evidence to MPs on what he knew about phone hacking at the News Of The World has been challenged by two of the tabloid's former executives.

Mr Murdoch told a Commons committee on Tuesday he was "not aware" of an email suggesting the practice was not limited to one reporter.

But the News Of The World's (NOTW) former editor and chief lawyer said they had informed the chairman of News International - which published the now-defunct tabloid - about the email.

Colin Myler, who edited the paper until it was closed over the scandal, and legal manager Tom Crone have released a statement saying Mr Murdoch was "mistaken".

The son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has said he stands by his evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee (CMS).

The issue hinges on a settlement paid to Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor in 2008, worth a reported £700,000, after he brought a damages claim against the NOTW.

At the committee hearing, MP Tom Watson asked James Murdoch: "When you signed off the Taylor payment, did you see or were you made aware of the full Neville email, the transcript of the hacked voicemail messages?"

He replied: "No, I was not aware of that at the time."

In their statement, Mr Myler and Mr Crone said: "Just by way of clarification relating to Tuesday's CMS Select Committee hearing, we would like to point out that James Murdoch's recollection of what he was told when agreeing to settle the Gordon Taylor litigation was mistaken.

"In fact, we did inform him of the 'for Neville' email which had been produced to us by Gordon Taylor's lawyers."

John Whittingdale, the Conservative MP and chairman of the committee, told Sky News Mr Murdoch would be asked to clarify his evidence over the discrepancy.

Mr Whittingdale said Mr Murdoch had already agreed to write to the committee on issues he had been unable to address at the hearing.

However, the committee will not be recalled on the matter, Mr Whittingdale said.

Meanwhile, Sky sources have revealed that a former NOTW executive has been sacked by The Sun after serious allegations of wrongdoing relating to his time at the Sunday title.

He is thought to be Matt Nixson, who had been features editor at The Sun since last January.

It is understood he was escorted out of the newsroom at Wapping, east London, by four security guards and his computer was seized.

It has also emerged that the FBI plans to contact actor Jude Law after he claimed his mobile phone was hacked into while at JFK airport.

The allegations reportedly stem from a story published in the News Of The World in 2003, which was apparently based on information that could only have been obtained from Law's voicemail.

It detailed his communication with Ben Jackson, his personal assistant, whose phone is also said to have been hacked.

The claims could mean News Corp face charges in the US, because Law would have been using an American mobile network.

Law has also taken action against The Sun newspaper, which he claims hacked his voicemail in 2005 and 2006.

News International has said those claims would be "defended vigorously" and had "no foundation whatsoever".