Rebekah Brooks resigns as News International CEO over phone-hacking scandal

It's no surprise that Rebekah Brooks has relinquished her job as News International CEO in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal at the now-defunct News of the World.

The only mystery is why it took so long—11 days—for Rupert and James Murdoch to accept her resignation in the midst of their corporate crisis.

The Guardian has posted Brooks's resignation letter to staff. Here's an excerpt:

As chief executive of the company, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the people we have hurt and I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place.

I have believed that the right and responsible action has been to lead us through the heat of the crisis. However my desire to remain on the bridge has made me a focal point of the debate.

This is now detracting attention from all our honest endeavours to fix the problems of the past.

Therefore I have given Rupert and James Murdoch my resignation. While it has been a subject of discussion, this time my resignation has been accepted.

Rupert's wisdom, kindness and incisive advice has guided me throughout my career and James is an inspirational leader who has shown me great loyalty and friendship.

I would like to thank them both for their support.

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