Forget Wall Street analysts who earn millions of dollars for betting correctly about the market, News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks was paid millions of dollars for literally toppling a 167-year-old news institution overnight while creating an international slap in the face to her bosses.
The Guardian has revealed that Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. agreed to pay Brooks $2.7 million while providing her with a chauffeur-driven limo for two years and a posh office in London for the same period of time.
According to one MP investigating the Brooks situation:
“It is remarkably curious that such an generous package is given to Ms Brooks when others have been cut loose.” That same MP adds, “It is almost as if she hasn’t really left the company. I am sure Mr Murdoch will want to explain the decision to his shareholders.”
Renewed interest in the Rebekah Brooks situation comes just ahead of a new appearance by James Murdoch in front of the Commons committee this week, in that appearance he will be asked to describe discrepancies between his previous testimony and the testimony of his company’s top lieutenants.