James Murdoch denies 'mafia boss' claims
James Murdoch rejected allegations yesterday that he was a "mafia boss" and told British lawmakers he had not misled them about the extent of his knowledge of phone-hacking at the News of the World.
In heated exchanges after being recalled for a second grilling by MPs, the News International chairman repeatedly denied he knew in 2008 about a smoking-gun email that suggested hacking at the tabloid was endemic.
At yesterday's appearance, lawmakers led by anti-hacking campaigner and opposition Labour politician Tom Watson grilled James Murdoch about a meeting he had with former editor Colin Myler and legal exec Tom Crone.
"Mr Murdoch, you must be the first mafia boss in history who did not know he was running a criminal enterprise," said Watson.
"Mr Watson, please," said Murdoch, apparently taken aback.
Security was tight for the hearing, after the Murdochs' previous appearance was disrupted when a man flung a foam pie into Rupert's face.
The apparent discrepancy in James Murdoch's evidence focused on a meeting in June 2008, when he met Crone and Myler.
Yesterday he admitted that at the meeting, which was aimed at deciding a payout for hacking victim Gordon Taylor, head of the Professional Footballers' Association, he was told of the email.
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