Murdoch: 'This Is Most Humble Day of My Life'

Says no evidence 9/11 victims were targeted
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 19, 2011 9:40 AM CDT
Updated Jul 19, 2011 12:07 PM CDT
Rupert Murdoch: 'This Is Most Humble Day of My Life'
Rupert Murdoch, gives evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on the News of the World phone-hacking scandal.   (AP Photo/ PA)

Rupert Murdoch has concluded his time in the hot seat, with son James by his side. Highlights from today's hearing, a nearly 3-hour-long session in which 10 members of Parliament peppered the duo with questions and a protester chucked a foam pie at Rupert. (Rebekah Brooks is being questioned separately):

  • James Murdoch started off by apologizing, and his father jumped in, saying, "This is the most humble day of my life." Still, he denied personal responsibility throughout.
  • Rupert reiterated the "humble" point at the end and again apologized for the scandal. "People I trusted have let me down ... behaved disgracefully. I'm the best person to clear this up."
  • James Murdoch emphasized that News Corp handed over the information that ultimately led to the reopening of the hacking investigation in January, and asserts that the company acted as "swiftly and transparently as possible."

  • Rupert said that News of the World employees account for only 1% of his company's workers. The Wall Street Journal reports that he smacked the table and explained that with so many employees, it's hard for him to stay informed on all details.
  • Rupert again pounded the table in describing why he closed NotW, saying, "We had broken our trust with our readers."
  • Rupert said he was "absolutely shocked, appalled, and ashamed when I heard about the Milly Dowler case two weeks ago."
  • He also said he knows of no evidence that 9/11 victims were hacked by his papers, and doesn't believe the FBI has found any evidence of such targeting.
  • Committee member Tom Watson to Rupert: "Your wife has a very good left hook," referring to her defense of him when the pie protester lunged.
(More Rupert Murdoch stories.)

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