News International head 'appalled' by Milly claim

News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks said today she was “appalled and shocked” by allegations that a private investigator working for the News of the World hacked into schoolgirl Milly Dowler’s phone after she went missing.

Ms Brooks, who was editor of the paper at the time, said it was “inconceivable that I knew or worse, sanctioned these appalling allegations”.

And she dismissed speculation about her position, saying: “I am determined to lead the company to ensure we do the right thing and resolve these serious issues.”

Ms Brooks spoke out in a message to News International staff after David Cameron condemned the alleged hacking as a "truly dreadful act''.

The Prime Minister, who found himself being quizzed about the story during a trip to Afghanistan, said he found the claims “quite, quite shocking”.

As the scandal grew, the Press Complaints Commission, a keystone of the system of press self-regulation in the UK, accused the News of the World of lying during an inquiry into hacking allegations.

PCC chairman Baroness Buscombe told the BBC’s Daily Politics show: “We didn’t have the evidence. I am the regulator but there is only so much we can do when people are lying to us.

“We know now that I was not being given the truth by the News of the World. Who knows if there are other newspapers that have lied.”

In her statement Ms Brooks said she wanted to address staff “as a matter of urgency” in light of the new claims.

She said: “We were all appalled and shocked when we heard about these allegations yesterday.

“I have to tell you that I am sickened that these events are alleged to have happened. Not just because I was editor of the News of the World at the time, but if the accusations are true, the devastating effect on Milly Dowler’s family is unforgivable.

“Our first priority must be to establish the full facts behind these claims.

“I have written to Mr and Mrs Dowler this morning to assure them News International will vigorously pursue the truth and that they will be the first to be informed of the outcome of our investigation.

“Our lawyers have also written to their solicitor Mark Lewis to ask him to show us any of the evidence he has so we can swiftly take the appropriate action.

“At the moment we only know what we have read.

“Since 2006, when the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) seized the documentation from the private investigator Glen Mulcaire, News International has had no visibility on the evidence available.

“The process of discovery is complicated. The MPS first present relevant documents to potential victims. We only see the evidence much later during the legal process.”

She said NI has offered the MPS its full co-operation “to establish the veracity of these fresh allegations” and had written to the Chief Constable of Surrey, where Milly lived, with the same offer.

She went on: “I am determined that News International does everything it can to co-operate fully and pro-actively with the MPS, as we have been doing for some time, to verify the facts so we can respond in a robust and proper way.

“It is almost too horrific to believe that a professional journalist or even a freelance inquiry agent working on behalf of a member of the News of the World staff could behave in this way.

“If the allegations are proved to be true then I can promise the strongest possible action will be taken as this company will not tolerate such disgraceful behaviour.

“I hope that you all realise it is inconceivable that I knew or worse, sanctioned these appalling allegations.”

She added: “Although these difficult times will continue for many months ahead, I want you to know that News International will pursue the facts with vigour and integrity.

“I am aware of the speculation about my position. Therefore it is important you all know that as chief executive, I am determined to lead the company to ensure we do the right thing and resolve these serious issues.

“We will face up to the mistakes and wrongdoing of the past and we will do our utmost to see that justice is done and those culpable will be punished.”