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The incident in which Rupert Murdoch was attacked Sky News / YouTube

'Jonnie Marbles' charged over Murdoch pie attack

A 26-year-old comedian is accused of ‘harassment’ after the media mogul was smeared with shaving foam yesterday.

A COMEDIAN AND activist has been charged after Rupert Murdoch was attacked with a shaving foam pie in the UK Houses of Parliament.

Jonathan May-Bowles, 26 – also known as ‘Jonnie Marbles’ – is accused of behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress in a public place, the BBC reports. He was bailed to appear in court on Friday.

Mr Murdoch and his son James were giving evidence to the House of Commons Culture Select Committee, who are investigating the phone-hacking scandal enveloping News Corporation. As the hearing progressed a member of the audience approached, pulled a paper plate of shaving foam from a bag and tried to put it in Rupert Murdoch’s face.

Mr Murdoch’s wife Wendi – a former volleyball player – was the first to his defence, slapping the attacker and trying to smear the foam on him. She then comforted her husband before the chairman of the committee ordered members of the public out of the room.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Mr May-Bowles is a veteran left-wing campaigner and father of one.

Shares in New Corporation, which have suffered in recent weeks, jumped in value yesterday as James and Rupert Murdoch denied to MPs that they knew about or sanctioned phone-hacking at the News of the World. However, Bloomberg reports that Rupert Murdoch’s refusal to take responsibility, and insistence that he did not know what was happening in his own organisation, could put him under heavy pressure to resign as chief executive.

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks also gave evidence to the committee yesterday. She denied sanctioning payments to private investigators to hack phones while she was editor of the News of the World.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Rebekah Brooks’ husband Charlie has denied accusations of a cover-up after trying to reclaim a bag containing a laptop computer and documents, which was found dumped in a bin near the couple’s London flat. Police are currently examining its contents.

Watch: Rupert Murdoch pied by protester whilst giving evidence to MPs >

Rupert and James Murdoch: What they said >

Read more on the hacking scandal >

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5 Comments
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    Mute deano
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 8:37 AM

    Great read….be safe doggies

    204
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    Mute sandyred7
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 9:17 AM

    @deano: Your comment made me giggle. My dogs name is Deano and I just pictured him typing your comment on a phone! Must be the heat getting to me…!

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    Mute Alana
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:06 AM

    @sandyred7: a bichon buzz

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    Mute sandyred7
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:13 AM

    @Alana: oh yeah… does that on a daily basis. Hilarious!

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    Mute deano
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 8:00 PM

    @sandyred7:

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    Mute Niallers
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 8:58 AM

    Getting the dog groomed will make a huge difference to their comfort. They’ll bake if coat is not cut/shaved back.

    63
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    Mute Lily
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:19 AM

    @Niallers: depend on the breed!

    Some dogs can’t regulate their body temperature if their double coat is cut or shaved. It’s actually really bad for them. Those big white fluffy Samoyeds need to stay fluffy!!!

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    Mute Lily
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:24 AM

    Do not shave or cut the fur of any double coated dog, it’s really dangerous they will over heat and get sun burn. Their double coat helps keep them cool!

    32
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    Mute Linda Hegarty
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    Jun 23rd 2018, 10:16 AM

    Unfortunately you’ll still get idiots walking their dogs in the sun and leaving them in cars. Some people just won’t listen

    82
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