Rebekah Brooks: News of the World brand is 'toxic'

Rebekah Brooks apologised to gathered News of the World staff today, telling them the paper had become "toxic" and promising to try to find them jobs elsewhere in the company. 

 

The embattled News International executive told around 200 journalists, all of whom have been told that they will lose their jobs, that there was no way the paper could recover from the damage of the phone hacking scandal.

Mrs Brooks said the company would try to find them new jobs, adding to speculation that News International may launch a new Sunday tabloid to replace the News of the World.

According to Sky News, she told employees: "You may be angry with me, I understand, but I'm angry with the people who did this [hacking] and feel bitterly betrayed".

In the hours before her address there was strong speculation that the former News of the Editor might announce her resignation but Mrs Brooks seemed determined to remain in post.

Staff at the Wapping office said they were being "hung out to dry" after security guards appeared on the doors of the newsroom and their internet access was blocked.

Continued at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8626204/Rebekah-Brooks-News-of-the-World-brand-is-toxic.html by Raf Sanchez