A protester has attempted to attack News Corp chief executive Rupert Murdoch at a sitting of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
A man in a check shirt moved towards Mr Murdoch and appeared to throw a plate of white foam at him before he was detained by security.
As James rose and police moved in, watched live by millions on television, Rupert Murdoch's wife Wendi Deng (42), who had been sitting right behind her husband, leaped forward to slap the man. He was hauled away and the session suspended.
Ten minutes later, the session resumed with an apology from the chairman and a comment from one lawmaker that the Murdochs had shown "immense guts" to continue taking questions. Rupert Murdoch had removed his jacket.
The identity of the attacker has not been formally revealed, but a comedian who calls himself Jonnie Marbles tweeted just before the attack that: “It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before #splat”.
A Reuters witness said there was no sign that Mr Murdoch had been hurt and no doctor was required. The session was suspended for 10 minutes during which journalists and members of the public were asked to leave.
After Rupert Murdoch had finished giving evidence, committee chair John Whittingdale said: "I would like to apologise again for the wholly unacceptable treatment you received from a member of the public."
Tory MP Louise Mensch praised Mr Murdoch's "immense courage at having seen this session through despite the common assault that just happened to you".