BBC ‘Aggresively Pursuing’ Hacking at the ‘Mirror’ Under Editor Piers Morgan, Democratic and Republican Lawmakers Call For U.S. News Corp. Probe

CNN host and former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan may be asked to appear before the inquiry investigating the hacking scandal currently engulfing U.K. media. The Guy Fawkes blog, which wrote about Morgan’s possible involvement yesterday, today posted statements from MPs suggesting that Morgan should appear to explain what he knew about hacking, either at the Mirror or elsewhere. The blog also excerpts from Morgan’s 2005 autobiography, which seems to indicate that he was at least aware of the technique used to hack into voicemails as far back as 2001.

The BBC is also investigating hacking at the Mirror, the blog writes. TVNewser has confirmed with a source at the BBC that the organization is “aggressively pursuing” the story.

Sky News reports that former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks will appear before the inquiry, James Murdoch “may appear” and Rupert Murdoch will not appear.

Elsewhere, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) have joined colleague Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) in calling for News Corp. to be investigated for possible criminal activity stateside. The DOJ is reviewing the request for a probe, reports The Huffington Post.

Update: A quick clarification. At the moment, Morgan and the Murdoch’s may not be compelled to appear before the inquiry, though the government is seeking the ability to do so. If Congress were to investigate, they would have the ability to compel them to appear.

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