At this afternoon's questioning by Labour MP Tom Watson to News Corp's CEO Rupert Murdoch, the Australian newspaper mogul completely capitulated.

The afternoon session began with James Murdoch answering questions well, concisely and firmly. However, Murdoch Snr was cringingly unable to answer any of the questions put to him from Tom Watson, who spoke in an uncharacteristically soft voice.

Watson asked Murdoch Snr at what point he became aware criminality was endemic at the News of the World, forcing Murdoch to pause.

Repeatedly, his son James stepped in to try and answer the questions his father was unable to, but time and again Watson refused to take answers from James Murdoch, citing his father (Rupert) was responsible for global corporate governance and wrongdoing.

Watson asked Rupert Murdoch why he risked the jobs of 200 people at the News of the World, but not his son or Rebekah Brooks. Murdoch simply replied that the company was ashamed of what had happened.

Update 15:28

Rupert Murdoch questioning continues. He was asked why Tony Blair followed him around the world. Murdoch asks the panel to repeat the question, to which he gets the response "it doesn't matter".

Murdoch Snr is also asked why he entered No. 10 downing Street through the back door when everyone else, including the Prime Minister and State Senates, all arrived through the front entrance. Murdoch shuffled a little before denying any under hand actions and saying that the panel was reading into something that wasn't there.

The panel ask Murdoch Snr if he is responsible for the "fiasco". He answered "no".
He was then asked if he was satisfied if the cash payments that were made to informants were registered with the necessary tax authorities? He answered "I don't know anything about that"
At this point, James Murdoch jumps in and says that all of their affairs are above board and transparent.