Murdoch’s resignation as director from the companies that publish the Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun means that no member of the Murdoch family sits on the boards of News International’s UK papers.
Analysts are saying he could soon cut all ties with the floundering newspaper group, which is currently the subject of a parliamentary investigation into phone hacking.
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Murdoch appeared before members of parliament on November 10 to answer questions about the phone hacking that ran rampant in UK newspapers under his leadership.
Tom Mockridge, the former Sky boss who replaced Rebekah Brooks as New International Chief executive in July, has taken over for Murdoch at both director positions.
Murdoch became executive chairman of the publishing companies — Times Newspapers Limited which publishes The Sun and News Group Newspapers which operates The Times and The Sunday Times — in 2007 when his father, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, stepped down.
Both father and son have appeared in parliament to answer questions regarding phone hacking at their newspapers.
Celebrities such as Hugh Grant and J.K. Rowling are now taking part in the inquiry, testifying in court as victims of phone hacking.
Senior News International executives have resigned and/or been arrested in the recent past concerning the newspapers’ dubious actions.
James remains chairman of News International, a News International spokesman confirmed. They added that James is not walking away from the UK newspaper arm of the company.