The report described Murdoch, the 81-year-old News Corp chairman, as exhibiting “wilful blindness” to behaviour at the now-closed News of the World. In a conclusion with potentially far-reaching ramifications for the future of his media empire, MPs concluded that Murdoch is “not a fit person” to oversee a major international company.
Conservative MP Louise Mensch said at a press conference following the report’s publication on Tuesday that she and her four Tory colleagues on the committee disagreed with this description of Rupert Murdoch.
Mensch said the Murdoch line about not being fit to run a major international company was “stuck in on the basis of no evidence presented to the committee whatsoever”.
However, Labour MP Tom Watson said it was needed to raise the bar. “There is a judgment you have to make about these reports, whether you go for a weaker report and gain unanimity or stand up for what you steadfastly believe … I don’t want us to be accused of ducking our responsibility.”
This just makes me smile.
