Rupert Murdoch may soon face questioning by Scotland Yard, also known as the London Metropolitan Police, as a possible suspect in an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal activities at his company.
The Guardian reports that London police agreed last year to hold off on questioning the News Corp chairman until the phone-hacking trial was finished. The trial ended Tuesday, when the jury turned in first verdicts.
Also read: Rebekah Brooks Found Not Guilty, Andy Coulson Convicted in Phone Hacking Trial
Andy Coulson, former News of the World editor, was found guilty on a charge of phone hacking conspiracy, while Murdoch’s U.K. chief executive, Rebekah Brooks, was acquitted on all charges brought against her.
The interview with Murdoch is anticipated to take place soon, with authorities advising that it would be conducted “under caution,” which is the legal warning given to suspects. Authorities may also question Murdoch’s son, James, who was the executive chairman of News International in the U.K.
See video: Phone Hacking Trial: Watch Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson Admit Paying Cops
The guilty verdict for Coulson threatens Murdoch’s U.K. company, News U.K (formerly News International), with a possible corporate charge, which in turn could lead to the prosecution of members of the board of directors, including Murdoch and his son. There could also be dozens of criminal trials involving Murdoch’s journalists, as well as hundreds more legal actions from alleged victims of phone hacking by News of the World, according to The Guardian.