Rupert Murdoch hires Hollywood PR for day in spotlight

Published on Monday 18 July 2011 20:48

Rupert Murdoch has reportedly called in a public relations guru who has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood to coach him ahead of his appearance before MPs today.

The News Corp chief will make an eagerly awaited appearance before the Commons' Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee today with his son James.

Embattled former chief executive Rebekah Brooks will also give evidence after initial fears that she might have stayed away after being arrested and interviewed by police at the weekend.

It was reported yesterday that Mr Murdoch has hired Steven Rubenstein, who describes himself as "one of America's leading strategic communications and media relations companies".

He has worked with Hollywood clients including the actor Robert De Niro. He also helped salvage the career of chat show host David Letterman when the late night host's affairs with his colleagues were revealed last year.

Mr Murdoch, 80, has also drafted in media lawyer Dan Tench, a partner in law firm Olswang. Mr Tench's past successes include having the Football League's refusal to allow Wimbledon Football Club to relocate to Milton Keynes overruled.

Mrs Brooks' solicitor said yesterday that no allegations were put to her during nine hours of interviews on Sunday. Stephen Parkinson, of Kingsley Napley, said the former News International chief executive was also not shown any documents connecting her to any crime during questioning.

Mr Parkinson said yesterday: "The position of Rebekah Brooks can be simply stated: she is not guilty of any criminal offence.

"The position of the Metropolitan Police is less easy to understand. Despite arresting her yesterday and conducting an interview process lasting nine hours, they put no allegations to her, and showed her no documents connecting her with any crime.

"They will in due course have to give an account of their actions, and in particular their decision to arrest her, with the enormous reputational damage that this has involved.

"In the meantime, Mrs Brooks has an appointment with the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee tomorrow. She remains willing to attend and to answer questions. It is a matter for Parliament to decide what issues to put to her and whether her appointment should take place at a later date."

The 43-year-old was arrested by Scotland Yard and bailed after being questioned.

The development angered some MPs who raised concerns that her arrest might curtail what she could tell the committee about the extent of her role in the phone hacking affair.