News International head James Murdoch is being accused of misleading British lawmakers in testimony this week on the phone scandal engulfing the Murdoch media empire. Murdoch told a parliamentary committee he was unaware of widespread evidence phone hacking at the News International-owned News of the World when he approved a costly settlement in an individual case. But on Thursday, two former News International executives said they had expressly told Murdoch of an email that would undermine the company’s claims that phone hacking was only committed by one rogue reporter. British lawmakers say they plan to ask Murdoch to explain the differing accounts. In a separate development, a former News of the World private investigator at the heart of the scandal addressed rumors News International is refusing to pay his legal fees. The prospect of News International withholding support has fueled speculation that the investigator, Glenn Mulcaire, could identify company executives involved in the phone hacking. Mulcaire refused to answer questions about his plans.

Glenn Mulcaire: “Well, as you can appreciate, we’re in the middle of a number of inquiries at the moment, and it’s a very fluid and developing situation. And like I said, the developments have been different from day to day, and I have no further comment to make at this stage. However, this may change. Thank you very much.”