Culture, Media and Sport CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Rebekah Brooks, CEO, News International

Thank you for your letter of 12 July, on behalf of the Committee, inviting me to give evidence to you on 19 July.

I am writing to confirm that I am available to appear before the Committee on that date and welcome the opportunity to do so.

As you will be aware, the Metropolitan Police investigation into illegal voicemail interception continues and we are fully cooperating with that. Aspects of the work to which your Committee may wish to refer are likely to be relevant to that investigation. Indeed, the Police have already asked us specifically to provide information about those matters.

I understand that various Select Committees have approached the Police over time in relation to this and other cases. The Police’s position has been to co-operate where this did not directly impact on the investigation in question. In those cases where it did potentially impact, the Police have historically declined to comment at that stage. Our understanding is that this approach has not been challenged. Given that we are in the midst of an investigation, and we do not want to prejudice it, I hope you will understand why we feel it would not be appropriate to respond to such questions at present in order to be consistent with Police’s approach, and that as a result this may prevent me from discussing these matters in detail.

I hope this is of help, and look forward to hearing from you to discuss exact timings and other details.

14 July 2011