(Image Source: BBC)

BY: STEVEN HSIEH

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

James and Rupert Murdoch testified before a British Parliament investigative committee Tuesday.  Here are the highlights.

First, it was Murdoch Sr. -- who delivered the most-quoted line of the hearing.

R. Murdoch: “This is the most humble day of my life” (ABC)

Humbling, sure – but no admission of guilt from the NewsCorp CEO.

Sheridan: “Mr. Murdoch, do you accept that, ultimately, you are responsible for this whole fiasco?”
R. Murdoch: “No.”
Sheridan: “You are not responsible?  Who is responsible?
R. Murdoch: “The people that I trusted to run it, and then maybe the people they trusted.”

Rupert says his involvement with News of the World was minimal, emphasizing-- the tabloid was only a tiny piece of his media empire.

And both men denied consenting to a 700,000 pound settlement made out to phone-hacking victim Gordon Taylor.

Also – regarding News of the World hired-hacker Glenn Mulcaire, James Murdoch says he had no idea the company was paying Mulcaire’s legal fees.

J. Murdoch: “I do know that certain legal fees were paid for Mr. Mulcaire by the company, and I was as surprised and shocked to learn that as you are.”
Farelley: “Can you understand why people might ask why a company might want to pay the legal fees of a convicted felon who’s been intimately involved in the destruction of your reputation?” (MSNBC)

The elder Murdoch also denied he shut down News of the World to protect News International executive Rebekah Brooks, who has since resigned -- and has been arrested.

Davies: “So when you came in to the UK and said your priority was Rebekah Brooks, what did you mean?”
R. Murdoch: “I’m not sure I did say that.  I was quoted as saying that.  I walked out of my flat and had about 20 microphones stuck at my mouth.” (CNN)

MP Jim Sheridan also questioned Murdoch Sr. on why he used the back entrance when visiting Prime Ministers David Cameron and Gordon Brown at number 10 Downing Street.

Murdoch: “Because I was asked to . . . To avoid photographers in the front, I imagine.  I don’t know.  I just did what I was told.”

Some analysts believe Rupert Murdoch was winging it in his testimony -- redirecting many of the questions to his son.

R. Murdoch: “I think my son can perhaps answer that in more detail.  He was a lot closer to the-
Whittingdale: “I’ll come to your son in a minute.” (CNBC)

J. Murdoch: “It would be more helpful, perhaps if I could answer those questions..."
Whittingdale: “Your father is responsible for corporate governance, and serious wrongdoing has been brought about in the company.  And it’s revealing in itself what he doesn’t know.”

A writer for the Guardian says Rupert Murdoch looked “hopelessly out of touch.”

“...above all, Rupert Murdoch knew nothing about phone hacking - and he didn’t look like he was acting either.”

And a blogger for the Telegraph adds to that-- the big boss came off as a jerk.

“This is an absolutely extraordinary performance by Rupert Murdoch… One minute monosyllabic, the next minute sarcastic and dismissive, banging the table and cantankerous throughout – it’s hard to imagine an approach that could elicit less sympathy.”

Finally, in what was perhaps the most entertaining moment of the hearing – a British comedian attempted to assault Rupert with a shaving-cream pie.  Mr. Murdoch’s wife, Wendi Deng came to his defense. 

(Video: The Guardian)

Watson: “Mr. Murdoch, your wife has a very good left hook.”
Deng: “Thank you.”

After a five-minute pause, the hearing resumed.  Rupert Murdoch says he has no intention of resigning his role atop one of the world’s largest and most influential media empires.

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Transcript by Newsy.