Rupert Murdoch ready to face MPs' questions again over phone-hacking recording

Media tycoon asked to reappear before Culture, Media and Sport Committee after tape shows him venting anger about police investigations

Rupert Murdoch is set to appear before MPs again over phone-hacking comments (Reuters)

Rupert Murdoch has agreed to appear in front of MPs to “clear up any misconceptions” over a secretly recorded tape where he claimed payments to public officials were part of the “culture of Fleet Street”.

The request by MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee comes as Scotland Yard's investigation into phone hacking and corruption announced it was also interested in the covert recording and was seeking a court order to obtain it. A statement released by News Corp said Mr Murdoch "looks forward to clearing up any misconceptions as soon as possible".

News Corp's global boss has been contacted by the committee and told a letter will be sent to him asking him to reappear to explain comments he made to Sun journalists, which were recorded and later revealed by Channel 4 News and the investigative news website Exaro.

In the recording made in March this year during a visit to News UK's London headquarters, he described payments "to cops" for news tips as a practice "that's been going on for a hundred years". A News Corp spokesman said: "Mr Murdoch welcomes the opportunity to return to the select committee and answer their questions. He looks forward to clearing up any misconceptions as soon as possible".

The Metropolitan Police's interest in the Murdoch recording was confirmed by assistant commissioner, Cressida Dick, during questioning by the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.

She said detectives were currently engaged in seeking a court order that would give them the full recording.