Rupert Murdoch's protégé Rebekah Brooks, who previously ran his British tabloids was arrested today in London in connection with the phone hacking scandal.
Brooks' arrest comes as she "voluntarily attended a London police station to assist with their ongoing investigation," according to a statement released on her behalf, The Associated Press reported.
Authorities are questioning Brooks on suspicion of conspiring phone hacking and on suspicion of corruption.
Brooks spokesman David Wilson told the AP that Brooks' meeting with the police was arranged but "not aware she was going to be arrested."
"Obviously this complicates matter greatly," Wilson told the AP. "Her legal team will have to have discussions with the committee to see whether it would still be appropriate for her to attend."
Brooks who had refused to resign over the scandal, stepped down from her post as head of Murdoch's British newspaper division, News International on Friday.
Critical Time for Murdoch
Brooks' arrest comes at a critical time for Murdoch.
On Tuesday, British lawmakers are expected to grill the media baron when he testifies in front of Parliament.
Each passing day has brought new revelation in this scandal, and the shockwaves are quickly spreading across Murdoch's sprawling empire, which includes television and newspaper properties spanning the globe, and a key stake in the U.S.
Rupert Murdoch Apologizes Amid Hacking Scandal
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In turn, Murdoch has had to do some unprecedented damage control.
"I was appalled to find out what had happened and I apologized and I have nothing further to say," said Murdoch.
On Friday, Murdoch apologized to the family of Milly Dowler, a teen murdered in 2002.
Earlier this month, it was revealed the girl's voicemail had been allegedly hacked and messages deleted by a reporter from one of Murdoch's papers.
After the meeting, the Dowler family emerged with their lawyer, who described Murdoch's tone as humble.
"Yes he did apologize. He apologized many times. I don't think somebody could have held their head in their hands and said sorry so many times," said Mark Lewis, the Dowler family's lawyer.
On Saturday, there were more apologies.
"The News of the World was in the business of holding others to account. It failed when it came to itself. We are sorry," according to an ad signed by Murdoch.
The ad appeared in every London newspaper.
Last Sunday, Murdoch shut down his profitable tabloid, "The News of the World," mired in allegations of criminal activity.
The scandal has even crossed the Atlantic.
Les Hinton, the head of the company that operates the Wall Street Journal, resigned Friday. He was in charge in London when much of the alleged criminal activity took place.
There is also a connection to 9/11: allegations that Murdoch's reporters tried to tap the phones of 9/11 victims in search of yet more sensational headlines.
"Many, many innocent men, women, and children their private tears bought and sold by News International for commercial gain," said Gordon Brown, the former British Prime Minister.
No longer intimidated by Murdoch, British politicians are putting his empire under the microscope.
This week, the government established a judicial inquiry to look at criminal activity, media ethics, and media ownership.
ABC News' Jeffrey Kofman and the Associated Press contributed to this report.