Fishburn Hedges

15.07.2011

Usually the last day of Parliament’s summer term is pretty uneventful. Most MPs will already be packing their bucket and spade as they head off in search of sunshine.

However, for ten MPs Tuesday will be their day in the spotlight. As the Culture, Media and Sports Committee prepares to grill the three most high-profile witnesses it’s seen in years, we profile who the Murdoch clan should fear most. We single out three MPs to watch – Tom Watson (Lab), Louise Mensch (Con) and Adrian Sanders (Lib Dem).

		Aggression ranking	Media policy expertise
Tom Watson Labour Age: 44	News International’s most vociferous critic, Watson will be relishing his opportunity to forensically examine the trio. A former fixer for Gordon Brown, the West Bromwich East MP can be expected to ask a series of tough questions which could see Rebekah Brooks in particular squirm. Don’t be surprised if the alleged hacking of 9/11 victims features highly on Watson’s list of priorities.	10	8
Louise Mensch (Bagshawe) Conservative Age: 40	Usually associated with chick-lit novels and rock star connections, Louise Mensch should not be underestimated. She has been strong in her criticism of News International over the past few weeks, using twitter to update the public on the committee’s plans to force the Murdochs to appear.	8	7
Adrian Sanders Liberal Democrat Age: 52	Sanders has a reputation for being outspoken – be that criticising the coalition or voting against the tuition fee rise – so it’s not surprising that he was one of the first to call for a judicial inquiry. Likely to be a prominent figure over the course of the hearing.	8	7
John Whittingdale Chair Conservative Age: 51	The longstanding chairman of the committee, Thatcher’s former political secretary has in the past appeared less than concerned with the issue of phone hacking. Just a month ago he was still of the opinion that it was not a widespread culture within News International. Times have changed. Whittingdale has now emerged as one of the most vocal critics and his decision to summon the Murdochs to parliament gives an indication of the reception they are likely to receive from him.	7	10
Philip Davies Conservative Age: 39	The former Asda man has a reputation for speaking his mind, and has a long and colourful history on the committee. The Eurosceptic Shipley MP took part in the committee’s previous investigations into News International and suggested that phone-hacking may be more widespread than previously thought.	6	5
Paul Farrelly Labour Age: 49	Farrelly is not afraid to take a stand, having previously broken a super-injunction in parliament when he named Trafigura as the company at the centre of a toxic dumping scandal. One of the longest-serving members of the committee, the ex-journalist can be expected to give the witnesses a grilling.	7	8
Jim Sheridan Labour Age: 58	Paisley MP Sheridan has focused his interventions on the former employees of the News of the World. The former trade union activist can be expected to question the witnesses on the sacking of those journalists.	8	6
Therese Coffey Conservative Age: 39	One of the new intake of MPs, Coffey originally defended Brooks against what she termed a “witch hunt”. After the latest revelations and Brook’s resignation it will be interesting to see what approach Coffey adopts.	4	5
Alan Keen, Labour Co-Operative Age: 73	Fourteen years of sitting on the committee will have served Keen well when it comes to preparing his line of questioning for Tuesday.	5	8
Damian Collins Conservative Age: 37	The role of the police has been the main issue of concern for Collins. Given the large number of big names at the session, he may struggle to land a blow.	4	4