UK MPs demand Zuckerberg testify on data row after he offers deputy

British MPs renewed a demand today to interview Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg personally over a data privacy row, after he responded to an earlier request by offering to send one of his deputies.

Damian Collins, the chairman of the House of Commons digital, culture and media committee, said that the seriousness of the allegations meant it was "appropriate" for Zuckerberg to offer an explanation himself, whether in person or via videolink.

In a letter published by the committee today, a senior British Facebook executive offered to send chief technology office Mike Schroepfer or chief product officer Chris Cox to London next month.

"We'd be very happy to invite Mr Cox to give evidence," Collins said at the start of a committee hearing on Tuesday.

"However we would still like to hear from Mr Zuckerberg as well.

"We will seek to clarify with Facebook whether he is available to give evidence or not, because that wasn't clear from our correspondence, and if he is available to give evidence then we would be happy to do that either in person or via video link if that would be more convenient for him."
"As such Mr Zuckerberg has personally asked one of his deputies to make themselves available to give evidence in person to the committee."