A missed opportunity

One of the most important hearings in Parliament’s history was overshadowed tonight by a protester with a plastic plate full of shaving foam. Shouting “you are a greedy billionaire,” a young man sprung from behind Rupert Murdoch and shoved the plate at the 80-year-old media mogul at the end of his questioning before the culture select committee. The chair, John Wittingdale, suspended proceedings for ten minutes after which the committee was reconvened. Rupert Murdoch removed his jacket. He appeared unmoved, apart from his steamed-up spectacles.

But apart from this excitement, today was an anti-climax. The first ever appearance before MPs by Rupert and James Murdoch could have been electric. But the culture select committee rambled and postured through an unstructured series of long questions.

Throughout, James frequently intervened, acting as Rupert’s advisor. Rupert’s only animated moment was when the 80-year old said he wanted to emphasise “one sentence.” As if dictating a headline, Murdoch told the room: “This is the most humble day of my life.”

But not that humble—he said he had been invited by David Cameron into Number Ten “days” after the general election so that the new Prime Minister could “thank” him for the support of his outlets. He smiled when asked about contacts with prime ministers, saying “I wish they’d leave me alone.” He added that “the person I saw most in those days was Gordon Brown."

Rupert seemed to enjoy discussing his influence on editors. He does not speak to Sun editors every day, he said, but noted he would “like to.” He calls the Sunday Times editor every Saturday, the committee learned. He said he had no direct influence on editorial policy, and it may be true that his editors merely second-guess what he wants. (The fact remains that all 170 of his media outlets worldwide backed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.)

Tom Watson MP insisted that Rupert answer questions in the face of attempts by James to interrupt. But Rupert often responded with long pauses, allowing himself time to think. His age showed and at times he appeared somewhat confused. His acuity still showed through, however. Asked by Watson “at what point did you find out criminality was endemic at the News of the World?” Rupert replied that “‘Endemic’ is a wide-ranging word."

Watson also asked whether Rupert has closed the News of the World because of “criminality.” Murdoch claimed he could not hear, before admitting he was “ashamed” of the paper’s behaviour. But mostly he was defiant. Asked if he accepts overall responsibility for the “fiasco,” Rupert replied simply: “No.” Instead, he blamed "the people I trusted and the people they trusted." And he blamed “rivals” for whipping up “hysteria.”

Mostly, Rupert’s head was bowed for most of the extended session, while James spoke. Early on Rupert explained that, though it was not an “excuse,” the News of the World represents “less than 1 per cent” of his international company News Corps. But, he added in what appeared to be a pre-prepared line, "I was shocked, appalled and ashamed when I heard about the Milly Dowler case only two weeks ago."

But MPs posed frankly mediocre questions, and became bogged down in the details of phone hacking to which James was all too often able to reply: “I am not a lawyer.” The long questions were met with long legalistic answers.

Rebekah Brooks then gave evidence, doubtless providing some secondary headlines. But the Murdochs were the main event. Even on the issues of the day, there were no questions on News International payments to the police, let alone whether the Murdochs knew of or authorised payments. James Murdoch was not even asked whether he discussed the BskyB bid with Cameron. It is a pity that, as we predicted on this blog earlier today, this was a damp squib. Huge questions remain over the Murdochs’ influence. Perhaps the forthcoming judicial inquiry will have more success.

Rupert ended the session by reading a statement, saying he was "sickened" by the Dowler incident and "angry" at the News of the World. "I would like all the victims of phone hacking to know how deeply... sorry I am... for the horrible invasions of their lives."

The danger is that the assault will overshadow the questions. "This is a circus," a furious Rupert's son said under his breath during the un-scheduled break that followed the attack. It was unthinkable earlier today, but Rupert Murdoch may just end up with a bit of public sympathy.