Ofcom scrutinising Murdoch's place in BSkyB

MUMBAI: UK media watchdog Ofcom has stepped up its investigation into whether James Murdoch is a "fit and proper" person to sit on the board of BSkyB.

The open ended Ofcom investigation is examining mounting evidence of wrongdoing at Rupert Murdoch?s British newspapers and whether it impinges on BSkyB as a "fit and proper" holder of a license.

It will increase the scrutiny on Murdoch?s position at the pay TV service provider. Reports add that this could eventually lead to News Corp selling down its 39.1 per cent stake in a company it wanted to buy outright last summer.

Ofcom has formed a project team to examine evidence of phone hacking and corrupt payments emerging from the police and the Leveson inquiry.

The media regulator set up a dedicated group of seven or eight staff under the name Project Apple.