Nearest and dearest flock to patriarch's side

Rupert murdoch's wife Wendi Deng yesterday became the latest member of the clan to descend on London – arriving to support her 80-year-old husband on the eve of his public appearance before MPs.

Ms Deng, Mr Murdoch third wife, joins his sons James and Lachlan as well as his daughters Elisabeth and Prudence, pictured right, who have been at their father's side since the scale of the crisis facing the family and the company it controls became clear last week.

There has been at least one "family summit" to discuss tactics at which Mr Murdoch was persuaded by his daughters to accept the resignation of Rebekah Brooks – in the face of opposition from James.

Prudence, Mr Murdoch eldest daughter from his first marriage, has played little part in the company's affairs but is now on the board of Times Newspapers. She is married to Alasdair MacLeod, who stepped down last year after 20 years as a News Corp executive and is known to be especially close to her father.