3 Sep 2011

James Murdoch declines $7m bonus

2:38 pm on 3 September 2011

News International boss James Murdoch has declined a $7 million bonus, citing the "current controversy" over phone-hacking at one of his company's newspapers.

The phone-hacking scandal led to the closure of the top-selling News International Sunday newspaper News of the World.

Mr Murdoch's father, News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch, received a $14 million bonus, lifting his total remuneration for the year to 30 June by 47% to nearly $40 million.

James Murdoch's pay packet rose by 74% to $20 million, but he said: "In light of the current controversy surrounding News of the World, I have declined the bonus that the company chose to award to me.

"While the financial and operating performance metrics on which the bonus decision was based are not associated with this matter, I feel that declining the bonus is the right thing to do.

"I will consult with the compensation committee in the future about whether any bonus may be appropriate at a later date."