James Murdoch knew about Sky News hacking allegations 'number of months ago'

London, Apr 8 (ANI): James Murdoch and satellite broadcaster BSkyB board knew about evidence of illegal email hacking at Sky News 'a number of months ago', senior sources have disclosed.

Sources at the broadcaster revealed that Murdoch was warned about the illegal practice, but did not make a public announcement because they said the police had already been informed.

Sky News, owned and operated by BSkyB, admitted last week that a reporter had been authorised to hack emails in two cases.

The channel defended its actions saying the information was "in the public interest".

According to The Telegraph, one instance involved an investigation into John Darwin, the "canoe man" who faked his death and fled to Panama in 2002.

BSkyB's admission came two days after James Murdoch stepped down as chairman, leading to accusations that the two events were linked. BSkyB said that was not the case.

The paper quoted a close observer, as saying that it would have been better if BSkyB had made the announcement about the hacking when the board was first told.

Sky News' head John Ryley said the actions were "editorially justified" and involved suspected crimes.

In the case of Anne Darwin (John Darwin's wife, who was convicted of fraud), emails were handed to the police.

According to the paper, the UK police is now looking into the hacked emails. (ANI)