Ofcom attack on James Murdoch throws his future into doubt Mr Murdoch stepped down as chairman of News International in February 2011, before the phone-hacking row reached fever pitch. He resigned from the same position at BSkyB in April this year, saying he did not want to become a "lightning rod" for criticism, although he remained as a non-executive director. However, Pirc, the influential shareholder group, said on Thursday that Mr Murdoch should come off the board altogether. Given he continues to be a focus for severe criticism, it's difficult to see the net benefit shareholders gain from his continued presence on the boards of either News Corp or BSkyB. There were several opportunities for him to dig deeper and address the failings at the News of the World, and he missed every one of them," a spokesman said. Ofcom's findings also cast aspersions on the rest of the BSkyB board, which gave its unanimous backing to Mr Murdoch, even as he resigned as chair, Pirc said. The board took a big risk in allowing James to remain as chair last year. The scale of that risk is revealed by today's report. If he had remained chair, in line with the board's recommendation, Ofcom's judgment today may have been different," it said, pointing to the possibility that the regulator could have revoked BSkyB's broadcasting licence. News Corp and BSkyB appeared unmoved by the criticism. Sources at the pay-TV broadcaster said the board continued to give Mr Murdoch its full backing. The directors were very clear that they continue to believe strongly in his integrity and competence. What they said back in April still stands," a source said. News Corp defended Mr Murdoch's "distinguished record," arguing that Ofcom's criticisms were "not at all substantiated" by evidence. Ofcom's verdict that BSkyB is "fit and proper" to hold a broadcasting licence could help clear the way for News Corp to make another attempt to by the 61pc of the satellite broadcaster that it does not already own. However, the regulator, which has the sweeping power to revoke the licence of any broadcaster that falls short, left a sword of Damocles hanging over BSkyB by making clear that it would continue to scrutinise the company.