Rebekah Brooks has to go, says News Corporation shareholder

News Corporation's second-largest shareholder has said that he thinks Rebekah Brooks should step down as chief executive of News International.

Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal made the comments in an exclusive interview with BBC Two's flagship current affairs show Newsnight.

He said: "The indications are for her involvement in this matter... for sure she has to go, you bet she has to go. Ethics to me are very important, definitely.

"I will not... deal with a company that has a lady - or a man - that has any sliver of doubt on her or his integrity."

> Rupert Murdoch facing US probe over 9/11 hacking claims
> Rebekah Brooks to face grilling from MPs over phone hacking

However, Prince Al-Waleed was keen to point out that he wants to wait for the judge-led inquiry to present its report before drawing any conclusions.

"I think we have to wait for the commission that's been appointed by the prime minister and look at the results," he said. "Why should we anticipate and predict and preempt what they're going to come up with? The facts are going to come out... soon hopefully."

The prince, whose uncle is King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, holds 7% of News Corporation's shares. Only Rupert Murdoch, with 12% of total shares, owns more.

It was confirmed yesterday that Murdoch will give evidence to the inquiry, which will be chaired by Lord Justice Leveson.

More on News International and the News of the World phone hacking allegations:
> Rupert Murdoch: 'News Corporation handled hacking charges well'
> Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation withdraws Sky takeover bid
> Andy Coulson's former deputy 'arrested in phone hacking probe'
> Gordon Brown Sunday Times story 'in public interest, didn't break law'

Watch Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Alsaud's interview with Newsnight in full below: