Corporate governance and best practices are all the rage-words right now. And both have been raised with Rupert Murdoch’s attempts to impose his sone James as chief executive of British satellite broadcaster BSkyB. Has he gone too far? Is there anything wrong with all this? According to independent directors of the broadcaster, the appointment would give Murdoch unprecedented power over the board, when his company already owns over 35 percent. Will it be ‘home James?’

One insider, who is close to one of the independent directors, said: “There’s a battle going on.”

James Murdoch, 30, is the frontrunner to replace Tony Ball. The decision was due to be announced at BSkyB’s annual general meeting on 14 November, but the nominations committee is now expected to announce its recommendation tomorrow at a special board meeting.

Lord St John of Fawsley heads the committee. His independence has been questioned as he has been a BSkyB director since 1991.

Said the insider: “Lord St John is the wrong man for the job. It’s up to the senior non-executive to sort this but [he] is extremely feeble.”

If the independent directors are overruled and James Murdoch is made chief executive, it would cause a backlash from investors. Said one: “We want somebody who is strong and independent [as chief executive] so BSkyB can act in the interests of all its shareholders, not just News Corp.”

One solution would be for Rupert Murdoch to step down as chairman but he is thought to be unwilling to relinquish the post. Allan Leighton, the chairman of the Post Office and a non-executive director of BSkyB, has been suggested as a possible chairman.