News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch has apologised for the News of the World phone hacking scandal in front of a British Parliamentary inquiry, although he has skirted responsibility for the affair, saying those people he trusted to run the company are to blame instead.
The inquiry, which also saw James Murdoch and former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks answering questions, contained a number of heated exchanges, including when a protester managed to hit Murdoch with a plate full of shaving cream.
Murdoch’s wife, Wendi Deng, attempted to strike the protester in response.
“I would just like to say one sentence. This is the most humble day of my life,” Murdoch said at the beginning of the inquiry.
During the three-hour inquiry, Murdoch – who originally said he would not appear before Parliament – answered a number of questions regarding both his involvement and knowledge of the scandal. Both of which were denied.
“I am not responsible,” he said, instead saying that “the people I hired and trusted, and perhaps then people who they hired and trusted” were ultimately liable for the breaches of privacy.
The Culture and Home Affairs Select Committee questioned both Murdochs on a number of details of the case, particularly regarding legal counsel that had been provided on the phone hacking scandal itself. A 2007 letter was referenced in which legal counsel suggested the phone hackings scandal was not widespread.
“These actions do not live up to the standards our company aspires to,” James Murdoch said, who was left to do most of the talking as Rupert delivered shorter, more tense responses.
It was also revealed during the inquiry that Murdoch did not begin an investigation seven years ago when News of the World had paid police for information. “I didn’t know of it,” he said.
At several points members of Parliament appeared to grow frustrated over hearing multiple responses of this nature, with Labour MP Tom Watson even interrupting James Murdoch to prevent him from answering for his father.
“Your father is responsible for corporate governance, and serious wrongdoing has been brought about in the company. It is revealing in itself what he does not know and what executives chose not to tell him,” he said.
Rupert grew visibly angry during his response, pounding his fist on the table.
“The News of the World is less than 1% of our company. I employ 53,000 people around the world who are proud and great and ethical and distinguished people, professionals in their work. I’m spread watching and appointing people whom I trust to run those divisions.”
He also became angry when asked about the coverage of the scandal, saying that competitors “caught us with dirty hands and created hysteria”.
Murdoch continued to answer questions over whether the scandal had spread to the United States, where the FBI is currently investigating.
“We have seen no evidence for that at all and as far as we know the FBI haven’t either. If we do we will do exactly the same as what we have done here.”
News Corp shares rallied on the Murdochs’ appearance and were up 3% in early trade in Australia.
And in a separate revelation, the scandal has continued to embroil Downing Street. New emails have been released showing Prime Minister David Cameron’s former chief of staff, Ed Llewellyn, had turned down an opportunity to be briefed on the scandal by police.
Murdoch answered questions about his meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron, saying that he had been asked to enter Downing Street through the back door.
Meanwhile, Rebekah Brooks answered questions several hours later, denying specific knowledge of the investigators used under News of the World‘s payroll. While she admitted that the company had made “mistakes”, she still defended the integrity of News International.
“You will have seen that, out of all the media groups in this country, News International has been the one to openly welcome the Prime Minister’s public inquiry into, I think, all Fleet Street practices.”
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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