Carey clears way for Murdoch sons

A key confidant of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, Chase Carey, has resigned from News Corporation, in a move that could clear the way for Mr Murdoch's two sons, Lachlan and James, to take more control at the company. The question of who will succeed Mr Murdoch at the head of News Corp has been hotly debated, and it is thought he is grooming his sons for the job.

Mr Carey has resigned as co-chief operating officer of News Corp, his other half being Lachlan Murdoch. Mr Carey has also quit as the president and chief executive of Sky Global Networks. That is Mr Murdoch's holding company for most of his satellite TV assets worldwide, including the 36 per cent shareholding in BSkyB, the UK's satellite service, and Star, the Chinese pay-TV service crucial to Mr Murdoch's global ambitions. Star is headed by James Murdoch.

Mr Carey had been the main figure working on the flotation of SGN, which was planned for 2000, but is now in "hibernation".