Money Matters, Simplified.
Plush severance for ex-editor of News of the World -- report
by amiteshwar - November 7, 2011 - comments
Brooks' also got an office in an affluent central London area and a chauffeur-driven limousine. (Image courtesy: Daily Mirror)
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. paid former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks $2.7 million in an impressive severance package after she resigned from the post of News International's chief executive, the Observer reports.
The package includes the use of an office in an affluent central London area and continued use of her company limousine and driver for two years, the British newspaper says without citing sources.
Brooks, who is considered a close associate of Rupert Murdoch, left the company in July as the phone-hacking scandal raged and allegations were made that she was aware of the illegal hacking and bribery done by employees of News International.
She was even picked up by London police and had to testify before Parliament where she denied knowledge of the activities under investigation.
Brooks' severance package is likely to be questioned on Thursday when Rupert's son James Murdoch, chairman of News International, testifies about the scandal before Parliament for the second time.
Records at Companies House show Brooks resigned from 23 directorships related to the firm, the Observer said.
Her spokesman asked the newspaper not to reveal the location of the office she has been given due to security concerns.
James Murdoch's questioning
Brooks' severance package is likely to be questioned on Thursday when Rupert's son James Murdoch, chairman of News International, testifies about the scandal before Parliament for the second time.
Members of the Parliament will also be asking James about the Sun, another News Corp. tabloid, one of whose reporters was arrested by detectives last week on suspicion of bribing a police officer.
He had earlier claimed that illegal practices did not take place at the Sun. Brooks had been Sun's editor between 2003 and 2009 before she was promoted to chief executive of News International.