James Murdoch to step down as BSkyB executive chairman

James Murdoch is to step down as executive chairman of BSkyB.



The son of News Corporation's chairman and chief executive officer Rupert Murdoch has been heavily criticised for his handling of the ongoing phone hacking scandal which started at the News of the World.

Sources told Sky News that James is expected to resign from his position at a board meeting later today.

He will reportedly continue in a non-executive role at the company.

It is believed that current deputy chairman Nicholas Ferguson may step up to the position of chairman, though details have not yet been confirmed.

It recently emerged that James would not seek re-election to the board of auction house Sotheby's.

He had previously quit as executive chairman of News International newspapers in the UK in February.

That was very convenient for Murdoch, bailing out of the company just days before a public admission of guilt!