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ELIZABETH JACKSON: News Corporation boss, Rupert Murdoch has met with the Dowler family in London to personally apologise for the pain his newspaper, the News of the World has caused them.

The revelation that the phone of murdered schoolgirl, Milly Dowler was hacked has shocked the British public.

Rupert Murdoch's apology followed the resignation of Rebekah Brooks, the tabloid's former editor.

Our Europe correspondent, Rachael Brown reports on yet another explosive day in London.

RACHAEL BROWN: It's not often a force such as Rupert Murdoch hangs his head and makes a very personal apology to jilted readers.

But the Dowlers have unwittingly changed the landscape of British media and politics forever. After their murdered daughter's phone was hacked into, they were left with the false hope she was still alive.

An uncharacteristically shaky Rupert Murdoch found himself out the mercy of those he usually controls.

RUPERT MURDOCH: If you'd just keep silent for a minute, I wanted to have a totally private meeting

REPORTER: Did you apologise to the Dowler family?

RUPERT MURDOCH: Of course I did, of course I did. As the founder of the company I was appalled to find out what had happened.

RACHAEL BROWN: The Dowler family was initially reluctant to play any part in what many will muse is a News International PR stunt, but it couldn't decline the gesture.

Its lawyer is Mark Lewis.

MARK LEWIS: The Dowler family told him his papers should lead the way to set the standard of honesty and decency in the field.

RACHAEL BROWN: Mr Lewis says he's never seen anyone hold their head in their hands so many times.

MARK LEWIS: He said the word sorry, this shouldn't have happened, this was not the standard, this was not the standard set by his father, a respected journalist, not the standard set by his mother, and that this was a proper thing that should be done, not what was done in the name of the News of the World.

RACHAEL BROWN: He says the family will be pursuing compensation, but today wasn't the day for that.

MARK LEWIS: This wasn't about money this meeting, money was not discussed and there is no, no question of any discussion that would have tainted the meeting which was a heartfelt and what seemed to be a very sincere apology...

RACHAEL BROWN: As the British public wakes there'll be an apology for all readers, with full page advertisements in all the UK's major papers.

EXCERPT FROM NEWS OF THE WORLD ADVERTISMENT (Voiceover): The News of the World was in the business of holding others to account. It failed when it came to itself. We regret not acting faster to sort things out. I realise simply apologising is not enough.

RACHAEL BROWN: The other apology overnight came from Rebekah Brooks, who's resigned as News International's chief executive.

She's the most high-profile casualty so far but she says it's time to "leave the bridge", as she puts it, to focus on damage control.

Her boss, James Murdoch has promised her the company's support as she works to clear her name, describing her as one of the most outstanding editors of her generation.

But her detractors were queuing up to welcome the news.

ED MILIBAND: I'm pleased that Rebekah Brooks has finally accepted responsibility.

JOHN WHITTINGDALE: It seems strange that, you know, she has waited until now to do so.

MAX MOSLEY: I think sooner or later we will see James Murdoch go.

MARK LEWIS: Every dog has its day and Rebekah Brooks I suppose is that dog.

RACHAEL BROWN: She may've left the organisation but she'll remain in the headlines when she, James and Rupert Murdoch front up to Westminster on Tuesday for a parliamentary grilling.

This is Rachael Brown in London reporting for Saturday AM.