Rupert Murdoch, 80, was attacked at a committee hearing whilst answering questions on the News of the World phone hacking scandal with his son James, both of whom are executives of the paper’s parent company News International.
Self-styled comedian Jonnie Marbles attempted to hit Murdoch in the face with a ‘pie’ consisting of a foil plate and some shaving foam. Murdoch’s Chinese wife Wendi Deng leapt up in defence and planted a vicious slap to the face of Marbles. Marbles was later arrested and charged but has since been released with a minor public order offence.
Murdoch described the day as the most humble of his career after being grilled by MPs from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee. The attack occurred around 5pm, with Marbles previously stating on Twitter “It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before #splat”.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the scandal erupted after revelations that News of The World journalists hacked into the phones of several people living and deceased, including murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, prompting a public outcry. The backlash resulted in the closure of the News of The World newspaper, former editor Rebekah Brooks (ex-wife and alleged attacker of Ross ‘Grant Mitchell’ resigning as chief executive of News International, Murdoch’s proposed takeover of BSKyB collapsing, and dozens of hilarious jokes online (see below).
The scandal also revealed alleged corruption in the Metropolitan Police, resulting in police commissioner Paul Stephenson’s resignation, and even involved Prime Minister David Cameron who once hired Andy Coulson, one of the other former News of the World editors responsible. More shockingly, Hugh Grant (who wore a wire to expose one journalist) emerged as something of a national hero after a popular appearance on political programme Question Time, and Steve Coogan was entertaining when NOT being Alan Partridge on Newsnight.
After defending her billionaire husband, Wendi Deng, 38 years younger than Rupert Murdoch at 42, briefly became a cult hero and a Youtube sensation. She joined News Corporation as an intern before meeting CEO Rupert Murdoch and marrying him in 1999. She was accused of breaking up his marriage to Anna Murdoch (Deng and Rupert married only three weeks after the divorce), and previously had a relationship with John Cherry, a married man 30 years her senior. Following her newfound fame, a boxing career could an option, although she might have to start with an easy opponent. Audley Harrison has been touted.
By Jonathan Anderson
