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• 'Senior managers must be held to account' over the hacking
• Rupert Murdoch flies in to handle crisis
• Son James 'could face criminal charges' in America
• Labour demands judge lead the scandal inquiry
  

As distressed staff prepared the final edition of the News of the World, the Church of England today threatened to withdraw its £4 million investment in the company unless 'senior managers' are dealt with over the hacking scandal.

The Church's ethical investment advisory group said it had written to News Corp describing the behaviour of the News of the World as 'utterly reprehensible and unethical'.

It said the closure of the paper was not a 'sufficient response' to revelations of malpractice which included allegations of illegal payments to police officers by journalists and the hacking of an estimated 4,000 mobile phones.

The church's condemnation came as it emerged:

• Chairman Rupert Murdoch is flying into Britain to personally handle the crisis.

• James Murdoch could face criminal charges in America under its corruption law over alleged payments made to UK police.

• Andy Coulson, David Cameron's former Downing Street spin doctor has talked for the first time since his arrest.

• Labour has demanded the government appoint a judge to lead the inquiry into the hacking scandal.

The church's advisory group chairman John Reynolds has insisted that the News Corp board takes 'all necessary measures' to instil investor confidence in the ethical and governance standards of the company.

A statement said: 'We cannot imagine circumstances in which we would be satisfied with any outcome that does not hold senior executives to account at News Corporation for the gross failures of management at the News of the World.'

The Church Commissioners holds shares worth around £3.76 million in an £8 billion investment portfolio.

Professor Richard Burridge, deputy chairman of the group, insisted that the threat of pulling its investment could have an impact.

He said: 'If we don't get a satisfactory answer then disinvestment comes on to the horizon, but you can't go straight to the nuclear option, you have to engage first.'

He added: "I would love to think that Rupert Murdoch lies in bed at night quaking in fear of the Church of England but I fear that may not be the case.'.

The Rev Canon Jonathan Alderton-Ford, a vicar in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and a General Synod member, said: 'Senior figures in the Church of England are embarrassed by this ownership.'

As the 280 News of the World staff prepared the last edition, Rupert Murdoch was expected in the office in Wapping, east London, this evening after flying in from the U.S.

The media tycoon told Sky News the closure of the News of the World was a 'collective decision.'

Editor Colin Myler said: 'It's a very sad day. I'm thinking about my team of talented journalists. It's a very difficult day for all of us.

'It's not where we want to be, it's not where we deserve to be.'

Mr Coulson, his predecessor, spoke of his sadness outside his home in Forest Hill, south London, just 24 hours after it was raided by police.

He said: 'I think this is a very sad day for the News of the World. More importantly to the staff who, in my mind, are brilliant, professional people and I really feel for them.'

The newspaper is doubling its print run to five million tomorrow to 'go out with a bang'.

The 168-year-old newspaper is expected to record its biggest sale for years as its historic final edition becomes a collector's item.

Even before the last edition has come off the printing presses, readers have put the paper for sale on eBay and asked for bids.

Reports suggest tomorrow's edition is likely to highlight some of its notorious exclusives and front page stories including its famous campaign for 'Sarah's law' and numerous stings involving the 'fake sheikh', reporter Mazher Mahmood.

Alan Edwards, the chief sub editor, told reporters outside the News International headquarters: 'I think what's important is that we are all professional journalists and we are all incredibly proud of what we do.

'There are 280 journalists on this newspaper, none of them have any links to anything that is meant to have gone on many, many years ago.

'It's a bunch of hard working, talented, honest, decent journalists up there, who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

Asked if members of the staff had failed to show up for work, he said: 'Everybody has turned up. In fact more people than were due to come in have turned up because they wanted to be part of this iconic edition.

'We are like a family up there and there's very much that feel that we're all pulling together.' He said the final edition would have some differences to the regular newspaper.

'It will obviously be partly the same old News of the World that's as British as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding that everybody loves.

'But obviously because it's our last edition I think there will be some differences that you'll notice tomorrow as we say goodbye to the country really and our millions of readers.'

Asked what he thought of the decision to wind up the Sunday tabloid and whether the wrong people have been punished, he said: "I think management have to make their decisions.

'People are certainly very shocked and we'll have to wait and see what happens now.'

He said he did not believe the theories of a 'cynical ploy' that the red-top will just be replaced by a Sun on Sunday,

On Twitter, the News of the World's deputy political editor Jamie Lyons summed up current feeling among reporters.

'At my NOTW desk for the last time. Let's go out with a bang,' the 37-year-old wrote.

The reporter, who has held his current position for five years, said there was a 'mixture of sadness and enormous pride' in the paper's newsroom.

'I think everyone here is proud to have worked for what we believe is the greatest paper in the country and for a team of undoubtedly the best journalists on Fleet Street,' he said.

'It's not really the day to feel bitter or angry. I think we are all focusing on playing our part in getting out the last edition of the paper we are so proud to have worked for.'

Meanwhile, the Labour Party has called for a judge to be appointed to head the inquiry into the hacking scandal by the end of today.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis said there should be 'immediate' discussions between the parties to put someone in place.

He wrote: 'We believe it is imperative for a judge to be appointed to lead the inquiry with immediate effect.'

And Mr Lewis warned: 'In view of the fact that the News of the World is shutting down, it is a matter of great urgency that any documentary evidence, including files and emails, is preserved to enable a proper inquiry into these serious allegations to take place.'

Number 10 said that it was acting 'as rapidly as possible and legally permissible' and that the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, had been asked to propose a candidate to lead the inquiry.

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister has announced a judge-led inquiry. We have already approached the Lord Chief Justice who will propose the judge.

'We will continue to proceed as rapidly as possible and legally permissible and engage party leaders as set out by the Prime Minister.

'A major criminal investigation is ongoing by the police. It would be an offence to destroy or conceal any relevant information.'