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The News Corporation chairman and chief executive, rooted in his seat, could do little to stop the attack.
However, his wife, sitting just behind him, sprang into action and took a full-blooded swing at the attacker, clouting him on the head and managing to push the plate of gunk into the assailant's face.
Chinese-born American Wendi Deng, Murdoch's 42-year-old third wife, grappled with the assailant well before the sole policeman in the room got to him.
The attacker was later revealed as "activist and comedian" Jonathan May-Bowles, 26, who had bided his time until the final committee member started her questions.
He had earlier tweeted that he was in the committee room before posting the message: "It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before", before attempting to splatter Murdoch.
As he was frog-marched off in handcuffs, he refused to explain his actions to reporters. He was arrested on suspicion of assault, police said.
Murdoch was appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport committee, a 10-member, cross-party panel of lawmakers from parliament's lower House of Commons.
The Australian-born tycoon appeared alongside his 38-year-old son James, chairman and CEO of News Corp.'s Europe and Asia division, which houses News International, the British newspaper publishing arm which closed News of the World in the wake of the scandal.
The Wilson Room in Portcullis House, across the street from the famous clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, was crammed with reporters and members of the public who had queued up for hours to get in -- Marbles among them.
Murdoch had started the session seemingly ill at ease, taking his time and giving one-word answers but had warmed up as the session went on.
The attack happened as the Murdochs were about to face the last questioner, MP Louise Mensch.
Someone shouted "no, no!" as Marbles approached the pair from their left and attacked Rupert Murdoch with the foam.
He attempted to protect his head and took his glasses off but the white substance covered his right shoulder.
Deng leapt to his aid and a uniformed policeman rushed across to apprehend Marbles as a man shouted "outrageous!".
Murdoch had started the session in a pinstripe suit, a plain white shirt and a spotted blue tie, but when the hearing resumed he was without his jacket.
Within seconds of the start, two people stood up three rows behind them with signs reading "The People Vs Murdoch".
"Excuse me, can we not have that, please?", the committee chairman John Whittingdale asked, before having the pair removed.
Murdoch put his hand to his ear as Whittingdale made his opening remarks and during the session often asked people to repeat their questions or seemed to struggle to hear.
The US media baron had prepared a statement to read to the committee, but was not allowed to read it as the panel went straight into questions. He did manage to squeeze in a sentence, telling lawmakers: "This is the most humble day of my life."
Murdoch underwent a sustained examination from Tom Watson, an opposition lawmaker who has played a key role in bringing revelations about News of the World to light.
His son, closer to events on the ground, regularly tried to intervene and provide more in-depth answers but Watson refused to let him in, keeping his focus on Murdoch senior.
Returning after a short break following the attack, Murdoch concluded by reading his statement.
Members of the committee apologised for the assault he endured with Watson finishing by saying: "Mr Murdoch, your wife has a very good left hook."
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However, his wife, sitting just behind him, sprang into action and took a full-blooded swing at the attacker, clouting him on the head and managing to push the plate of gunk into the assailant's face.
Chinese-born American Wendi Deng, Murdoch's 42-year-old third wife, grappled with the assailant well before the sole policeman in the room got to him.
The attacker was later revealed as "activist and comedian" Jonathan May-Bowles, 26, who had bided his time until the final committee member started her questions.
He had earlier tweeted that he was in the committee room before posting the message: "It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before", before attempting to splatter Murdoch.
As he was frog-marched off in handcuffs, he refused to explain his actions to reporters. He was arrested on suspicion of assault, police said.
Murdoch was appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport committee, a 10-member, cross-party panel of lawmakers from parliament's lower House of Commons.
The Australian-born tycoon appeared alongside his 38-year-old son James, chairman and CEO of News Corp.'s Europe and Asia division, which houses News International, the British newspaper publishing arm which closed News of the World in the wake of the scandal.
The Wilson Room in Portcullis House, across the street from the famous clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, was crammed with reporters and members of the public who had queued up for hours to get in -- Marbles among them.
Murdoch had started the session seemingly ill at ease, taking his time and giving one-word answers but had warmed up as the session went on.
The attack happened as the Murdochs were about to face the last questioner, MP Louise Mensch.
Someone shouted "no, no!" as Marbles approached the pair from their left and attacked Rupert Murdoch with the foam.
He attempted to protect his head and took his glasses off but the white substance covered his right shoulder.
Deng leapt to his aid and a uniformed policeman rushed across to apprehend Marbles as a man shouted "outrageous!".
Murdoch had started the session in a pinstripe suit, a plain white shirt and a spotted blue tie, but when the hearing resumed he was without his jacket.
Within seconds of the start, two people stood up three rows behind them with signs reading "The People Vs Murdoch".
"Excuse me, can we not have that, please?", the committee chairman John Whittingdale asked, before having the pair removed.
Murdoch put his hand to his ear as Whittingdale made his opening remarks and during the session often asked people to repeat their questions or seemed to struggle to hear.
The US media baron had prepared a statement to read to the committee, but was not allowed to read it as the panel went straight into questions. He did manage to squeeze in a sentence, telling lawmakers: "This is the most humble day of my life."
Murdoch underwent a sustained examination from Tom Watson, an opposition lawmaker who has played a key role in bringing revelations about News of the World to light.
His son, closer to events on the ground, regularly tried to intervene and provide more in-depth answers but Watson refused to let him in, keeping his focus on Murdoch senior.
Returning after a short break following the attack, Murdoch concluded by reading his statement.
Members of the committee apologised for the assault he endured with Watson finishing by saying: "Mr Murdoch, your wife has a very good left hook."
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