James Murdoch says he told the truth

LONDON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- News International chief James Murdoch says he told the truth when he told Britain's Parliament he was unaware of phone hacking at News of the World.

Murdoch, son of British media mogul Rupert Murdoch, said at a government hearing this week he was made aware of an e-mail containing voice mail transcripts, but was not aware it suggested hacking went beyond one reporter, the BBC reported Thursday

At a hearing in July, Murdoch said he had not been aware of an e-mail suggesting hacking went beyond reporter Clive Goodman, who was jailed for four months in 2007.

In another round of hearings this week before the government's culture, media and sport committee, Murdoch said he had not been shown a copy of the e-mail at a 2008 meeting in which he agreed to a settlement with Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor.

Two former executives at the news tabloid now claim they informed Murdoch of the e-mail in 2008 when he agreed to settle the Taylor case.

Member of Parliament Tom Watson, during questioning Thursday, compared News International to the Mafia and accused Murdoch of being "the first Mafia boss in history" who did not know what was going on in his organization, The Guardian newspaper reported.

Murdoch told Watson the comment was "inappropriate," the newspaper said.