Behind Rupert and James Murdoch's gloss, an intensely serious defence

[spanone]

Rupert Murdoch and son James let some moral blame through but had to repel anything resembling criminal responsibility



At one point on Tuesday afternoon, the Murdochs were asked what coaching they had received in preparation for the hearing. "We were told to tell the truth, to be as open and as transparent as possible," came the reply. It was a little more sophisticated than that.

Their performance strongly suggested that the besuited consiglieri in the row behind them had earned their fees. There were signs of two kinds of advice – a PR strategy and a legal defence. Both were all about crafting an escape from a tight and unpleasant corner.

The foundation stone of the PR strategy was humble apology. James Murdoch interrupted his first answer to say how sorry he was, how great his regret was. Rupert Murdoch interrupted his son's apology to make his own. "This is the most humble day of my life," he said. Twice. PR consultants around the planet would spot the soundbite there, uttered by Mr Murdoch but written surely by an expert.

They continued to apologise at all available intervals. Rupert, in particular, volunteered that he had been absolutely shocked, appalled and ashamed to hear of the hacking of the phone of Milly Dowler. This, in turn, proved to be part of a wider strategy – a non-aggression pact with everyone. The MPs on the committee; their tormentors on the Guardian; the lawyers who have hauled them through the courts: none were to be attacked. Murdoch Sr sat with head bowed and his hands clasped. Murdoch Jr – whose temper is globally famous – was a model of deference and courtesy.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/19/rupert-james-murdoch-gloss-defence

[midnight]

1. K&R

[Stuart G]

2. k & r

[malaise]

3. They lied big time

Fugg em both

[babsbunny]

4. God, these people are heartless FREAKS!

[tavalon]

5. Take them down!