James Murdoch steps down as head of News International

After months of controversy as News International has been investigated for the phone hacking scandal that closed its “News of the World” tabloid, James Murdoch is stepping down as leader of the company, which publishes News Corp.’s UK newspapers. He will remain as deputy COO of News Corp., a position he’s held for just under a year. Tom Mockridge will remain as CEO of News International. Mockridge replaced Rebekah Brooks last July, when she was forced to resign for her role in the scandal. In the release about his resignation, Murdoch says, “With the successful launch of The Sun on Sunday and new business practices in place across all titles, News International is now in a strong position to build on its successes in the future.” Rupert Murdoch’s statement says his son “will continue to assume a variety of essential corporate leadership mandates, with particular focus on important pay-TV businesses and broader international operations.” James Murdoch is based in New York now, a move that was planned prior to the phone hacking scandal and delayed by it. The move was originally viewed as part of a family succession plan. || Related: News Corp. stock rises after announcement of James Murdoch’s departure from News International | News Corp. executives weighed spinoff of newspaper publishing, Carey says (Bloomberg)