Member News
By Tony Grew @ayestotheright - 20th July 2011
Mr Speaker has announced the creation of an “entirely independent” investigation into yesterday’s attack on Rupert Murdoch.
The media mogul was giving evidence to the culture, media and sport select committee about allegations of illegal activity at his company News International when a man sitting in the public seats lunged at him.
The man, Jonathan May-Bowles, tried to shove a paper plate full of shaving foam at Murdoch, who was giving evidence alongside his son James.
May-Bowles, 26, was pushed away by a female lawyer and Rupert Murdoch's wife Wendi, restrained by security staff and arrested by police officers.
Murdoch was unharmed in the attack. The evidence session then continued but without members of the public present.
At the start of business today, Speaker Bercow made a short statement expressing his concern about the security breach.
“It is wholly unacceptable for a member of the public to treat, and to be able to treat, a witness in this way,” he told the House.
“It is all the more regrettable that such an incident should happen at a time when, particularly over the last few days, the work of this House and its Committees has enhanced the reputation of Parliament.”
Mr Speaker then revealed that he has set up “an expert investigation into what took place, the reasons for the security failure and the lessons to be learned”.
“This investigation will be entirely independent of the House authorities,” he added.
The Serjeant at Arms, Jill Pay, is responsible for Commons security.
She works in close co-operation with the Metropolitan police.
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