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As it happened: MPs quiz Murdochs

Key points

  • Rupert and James Murdoch are questioned by the Commons culture committee on News International's role in the phone-hacking scandal.
  • The hearing is suspended after a man throws foam at Rupert Murdoch
  • Ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks tells MPs mistakes were made but the company had responded "appropriately and responsibly" since new information emerged.
  • Former Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson denies "taking a swipe" at the PM in his resignation statement.
  • Outgoing assistant commissioner John Yates tells MPs he has stood up to be accountable - and News International should do the same

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Reporters: Justin Parkinson and Emma Griffiths

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Rupert Murdoch

Chief exec, News Corporation

 Chairman and CEO of News Corporation - the world's most powerful media conglomerate now facing the biggest crisis in its history. The 80-year-old Australian American faces questions over alleged phone hacking and other illegal activities by journalists working for his British newspapers. Agreed to appear before MPs after being issued with a summons.

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James Murdoch

Chairman, News International

Fourth of Rupert Murdoch's six children. At 39, he is chairman and chief executive of News Corporation Europe and Asia, which includes News International - owner of The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times - and a stake in BSkyB. Faces questions about how much he knew about phone hacking at now defunct News of the World.

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Rebekah Brooks

Former chief exec, News International

 News International's former chief executive and editor of News of the World when voicemails of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's mobile phone were allegedly intercepted. Mrs Brooks was arrested on 17 July 2011 over phone hacking and corruption allegations.

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John Whittingdale

Committee chair and Conservative MP for Maldon

 Former City banker and adviser to Margaret Thatcher. Chairman of culture committee since 2005. Issued a summons last July to compel Rupert and James Murdoch to attend a hearing. 　

Therese Coffey

Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal

Chemistry graduate and accountant who worked for confectionery firm Mars and the 蜜芽传媒's property finance department before becoming an MP in 2010. Last year warned about "witch hunt" against former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks over phone hacking.

Damian Collins

Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe

 Former M&C Saatchi adman who became an MP in 2010. A past chairman of the Oxford University Conservative association. Has criticised Rupert Murdoch's management style but refused to endorse description of him as "unfit" to run company.

Philip Davies

Conservative MP for Shipley

 Former Asda marketing executive. An MP since 2005. Right wing thorn in side of David Cameron. Campaigns for Britain's exit from the EU. Described the claim Rupert Murdoch was unfit to run a major company as "completely ludicrous".

Paul Farrelly

Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme

Worked in the City before becoming a financial journalist with the Independent on Sunday and Observer. Elected an MP in 2001. Vocal supporter of the line that Rupert Murdoch is not fit to run major international company.

Alan Keen

Labour MP for Feltham and Heston

Longstanding MP and committee member. Came in for much criticism, with wife Ann, then also a Labour MP, during expenses scandal. Former systems analyst and scout for Middlesbrough football club. Says it is the evidence "not the opinions of MPs" which is important.

Louise Mensch

Conservative MP for Corby

Best-selling "chick-lit" novelist (as Louise Bagshawe) before entering Parliament in 2010. Married Peter Mensch, manager of rock band Metallica, last June. Backed Tom Watson's pursuit of News International but criticised the "partisan" report.

Adrian Sanders

Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay

 The sole representative on the committee from the Lib Dems. He is a former aide to Paddy Ashdown, when he was Lib Dem leader, and has been an MP since 1997. He joined forces with Labour MPs to brand Rupert Murdoch an "unfit" boss.

Jim Sheridan

Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North

 A former shipyard worker and trade unionist who entered Parliament in 2001. He chairs the Unite group of Labour MPs and brought in new laws to licence gangmasters. He attacked News International bosses in the Commons over the closure of the News of the World and the sacking of its staff. 　

Tom Watson

Labour MP for West Bromwich East

 His tenacious pursuit of the phone-hacking issue in Parliament helped blow the scandal wide open. He was rewarded by Labour leader Ed Miliband with a key campaigning role as deputy party chairman. Has been at war with News International since 2006 when he quit as a junior minister in the failed Brownite coup against Tony Blair.

Phone-hacking scandal