Murdoch backs UK news operation CEO amid scandal

SUN VALLEY, Idaho — Rupert Murdoch has expressed his full support for the head of his U.K. newspaper division amid continuing fallout from an expanding phone-hacking scandal at the News of the World.

The tabloid, forced to close amid fresh revelations of impropriety, is printing its final issue Saturday.

Many journalists and media watchers have expressed astonishment that Rebekah Brooks, who was editor of Murdoch-owned News of the World when some of the hacking allegedly occurred, was keeping her job even as the paper’s journalists are put out of work.

When asked by reporters Saturday in Sun Valley, Idaho — where he is attending a media conference — if Brooks continues to have his support, Murdoch replied simply: “Total.”

Murdoch is expected in London Sunday on a scheduled visit.