[devilincarnate]

Murdoch gave loyal lieutenant Rebekah Brooks £1.7m pay-off, car and office.

Rebekah Brooks, the former News of the World editor who resigned as chief executive of News International at the height of the phone-hacking scandal, received £1.7m in cash, the use of a London office and a chauffeur-driven limousine as part of her severance package from the newspaper group.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...rebekah-brooks

Then it should be interesting this Thursday?

This round-up of Monday's main media stories reports on the return of James Murdoch to face MPs later this week.

James Murdoch, chairman of News International, returns to Westminster on Thursday to answer questions from the Commons culture, media and sport select committee about his knowledge of illegal activities by his employees. The Guardian says he will concede that more should have been done to investigate, but plans to sidestep any questions about the size of the severance payment made to former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks. The Observer reported at the weekend that she received £1.7m, and the use of an office and a chauffeur-driven car.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15620160

Oh dear?

The News of the World (NoW) hired an ex-police officer early last year to carry out surveillance on two prominent lawyers representing victims of phone hacking, BBC Newsnight has learned.

Derek Webb, who ran a private investigations firm called Silent Shadow, covertly followed lawyers Mark Lewis and Charlotte Harris.

Mr Webb also filmed members of Mr Lewis's family on a shopping trip.

News International, owners of the NoW, said it was "deeply inappropriate".

The surveillance of the lawyers, who have been involved in cases against NoW owner News International, took place during the past 18 months when James Murdoch was executive chairman.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15627609