Rupert Murdoch escaped intense scrutiny from the Select Committee after being hit in the face by a custard pie thrown by 'artist' Johnny Marbles.
All was not as it seemed, however.
Under fairly light police interrogation, Marbles cracked.
"We didn't want him to break," said Inspector Greg Elgin of the London Metropolitan Police Comedy Crime Division. "He might have implicated us or our relationship with News International."
Marbles gave a big grin as he was led away in a bright yellow police car that belched smoke and had the doors fall off after twenty yards.
"Rupert Murdoch paid me to do it," he announced. "He told me that if the questioning got too intense, too close to uncovering his involvement, I was to hit him in the face with a custard pie. How do you think I got a can of shaving cream through some of the most detailed security on the planet? I didn't, Murdoch passed the can too me as he came in, nobody searched him."
Rupert Murdoch was led away just before he broke down and admitted anything, which was suspicious timing, but there is no evidence other than Mad Marbles. Now it is unlikely that Murdoch will be implicated in the Phone Hacking scandal.
"I don't mind admitting it," said Marbles. "Being punched in the face by Wendi Murdoch was NOT part of the deal. I have my integrity."
Rebekah Brooks was next up at the Committee.
"I wish I'd thought of a get out plan," she said.
