The FBI is starting up a preliminary review of whether alleged phone hacking and bribery by Rupert Murdoch's media empire violated US laws.

But any resolution may well have to await the outcome of British investigations.

The FBI's fact-gathering could take years to play out and could test the long-standing cooperation between top US and British law enforcement agencies.

Most of the records and witnesses to prove or disprove the allegations are in the hands of British investigators.

The FBI probe in this country could turn in unexpected directions, threatening other Murdoch properties, which include the Fox television network.

Murdoch's News Corporation is assembling a gold-plate roster of defence lawyers.

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