News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch has appeared before a British inquiry into media ethics for a second successive day on Thursday.

In a master class of forensic questioning, Robert Jay QC asked Murdoch about Gordon Brown's denial yesterday , that he said he would wage war on News International. Following it's switch of allegiance to the Conservatives.

Robert Jay's straight questioning then focused on just how amenable was James Hunt who had taken over from Vince Cable, to the takeover BSKYB deal? In short, was he on side or off side? Murdoch's stock reply to questions seems to be that he can't remember.

In an update to the trial Mr Murdoch said he was "surprised" by the number of email exchanges between BSKYB and the government. Which has resulted in the resignation of Mr Hunt's special adviser Adam Smith.