Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper admits to illegal spying

How very shocking.

Rupert Murdoch's powerful British news operation reversed course on Friday and admitted responsibility in a phone hacking scandal that had already cost the prime minister's spokesman his job.

News International, parent company of Britain's top-selling News of the World tabloid, had always vigorously denied it knew journalists were hacking the phones of members of the royal family, politicians, celebrities and sports stars, and blamed a handful of "rogue reporters" for the scandal.

Admission of liability for hacking the phones of eight people — including actress Sienna Miller and politician Tessa Jowell — and agreement to pay compensation amounts to a major turnaround for the company, part of Murdoch's global media empire News Corp.