Its whole thesis that the Pentagon needs to start searching for alternatives hangs on government cost estimates, but it simply takes those estimates at face value without asking why the costs keep rising or whether the estimates are even valid.

FORBES: Super-Weapon: Why Have F-35 Fighter Costs Increased?

Mr Black cited the growth in police numbers from 6, 900 in 1949 to more than 17, 000 now, despite the use of technology for policing, and without any politician asking why the higher numbers are necessary.

BBC: Robert Black: Free public services need 'revisiting'

So, either James Murdoch has to continue to plead ignorance, opening himself to the charge that he's the sort of guy who writes massive cheques without knowing why or asking questions which could and should have revealed what had really been going on.

BBC: Updates from inside James Murdoch hearing