Murdoch says embattled chief Brooks ‘first priority’

NEWS CORP chief executive Rupert Murdoch exited his London home last night with his arm around embattled newspaper chief Rebekah Brooks, and said she was his first priority.

Murdoch, who flew into Britain earlier to deal with the escalating phone-hacking scandal at his News of the World tabloid that Brooks used to edit, answered: “This one,” gesturing at Brooks, when asked what his first priority was.

The two, both smiling, then went into the Stafford Hotel opposite Murdoch’s apartment in London’s upmarket Mayfair area.