US media moguls Rupert and James Murdoch were trained in how to respond to British MPs questioning according to a body language expert.
Darren Stanton said the pair appeared to "have been coached quite extensively" on the etiquette of the committee but were still displaying signs of anxiety at the hearing yesterday.
Stanton said James Murdoch appeared much more nervous than his father who at times seemed to be “nodding off”. Signs picked up by psychologist Stanton included increased blinking and blushing at the parliamentary hearing into the phone hacking scandal.
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Stanton said one example was when James was questioned about the emails held by law firm Harbottle and Lewis.
The firm, which was hired by News International to defend a claim by News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman for unfair dismissal, trawled through emails from six people at the paper, including Goodman and former editor Andy Coulson.
Stanton said: "James did not appear to be comfortable discussing the file of emails that the solicitors have, stating that he does not wish to jeopardise the police investigation in a bid to sidestep the question.
"Signs of anxiety include blushing and, on occasion, his blinking also increased dramatically, which is a sign of anxiety and a sign he did not want to discuss certain topics."
Stanton added Rupert Murdoch was much harder to read than his son.
"Rupert gave very little away and his body language was still and measured throughout. At times he even appeared to be nodding off, clearly unhappy with the position he was in."
