The report said they should "ultimately be prepared to take responsibility" for the "wilful blindness" of News International and News Corporation over the scandal.

Labour MP Tom Watson said: "In the opinion of the majority of the committee members Rupert Murdoch is not fit to run an international company like BSkyB."

However, several members of the committee made it clear that Watson's opinion was not unanimous.

News Corporation said in a statement that it was "carefully reviewing" the report.