The post you are reporting:
it gets ever murkier, this from the mail on sunday.
it was the highlight of the summer season for the Chipping Norton Set.
Rupert Murdoch's daughter Elisabeth and her PR tycoon husband Matthew Freud threw a party of decadent opulence and excess that saw the political and media elite flock to their 22-bedroom Cotswolds mansion Burford Priory yet again.
Just 24 hours later, the news broke that murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's mobile had been hacked by Rupert Murdoch's News of the World newspaper and his global empire was plunged into disarray.
Generous hosts: But are Elizabeth Murdoch and husband Matthew Freud's opulent influence coming to an end?
The consequences could be just as far-reaching for the Chipping Norton Set.
The Murdoch-Freuds' marathon all-night party, which started on the evening of July 2 and ended at noon the following day, could turn out to be its last hurrah.
The party guest list paints a telling picture of the powerful web of influence that the couple had spun before the hacking crisis erupted. It reads like a roll call of the modern establishment - with the Murdochs and other News International executives at the hub. the group has been dubbed the Chipping Norton Set because its key members, including Prime Minister David Cameron, all own homes within a few miles of the Oxfordshire town. One prominent member of the set described its allure - and its value to the Murdochs.
'It is like the social wing of the Murdoch media empire. Rupert wields his influence through his newspaper and TV network. Elisabeth and Matthew feed off this by providing a link between the worlds of politics, business and showbusiness. Their wealth means they can provide for them all to meet in complete privacy at Burford. Behind it all is the unspoken assumption that if you are out of favour with Rupert Murdoch, you are not likely to get invited.'
The party, held two weekends ago, reveals the extent of the couple's connections on both sides of the Commons.
As a jazz band played in the landscaped gardens of the £6  million property, Mr Freud, who was wearing leather trousers, greeted guests, including Education Secretary Michael Gove and Culture Minister Ed Vaizey. They drank champagne in the company of former Labour Cabinet Ministers Peter Mandelson, David Miliband, James Purnell and Douglas Alexander.
Steve Hilton, Mr Cameron's shaven-headed policy guru, who was there with his forceful wife, Google communications chief Rachel Whetstone, was seen 'laughing giddily' across the political divide with Lord Mandelson and Mr Miliband.
At the centre of the throng, Elisabeth's brother, James Murdoch, the deputy chief operating officer of News Corp, was locked in conversation with Rebekah Brooks, who resigned on Friday as chief executive of News International.
Invited The BBC's Robert Peston, left, and Lord Mandelson, right, were among guests at Elisabeth Murdoch's Burford Priory at her party two weeks ago
Although the bombshell Milly Dowler phone hacking had not yet become public knowledge, Ms Brooks clearly knew she was in trouble.
One witness said: 'Usually, Rebekah flits around having a word with everyone. She loves being the centre of attention. But that night she spent nearly all her time with News International people.'
Some partygoers say there were clear signs of tension in the Murdoch clan. Shortly before her resignation, Elisabeth Murdoch reportedly erupted in fury at the way Ms Brooks has damaged News International, saying she had ****** the company.
The festivities started at 7pm on the Saturday evening, with the dancing - and drinking - continuing until 4am. Lord Mandelson was particularly 'vigorous', one guest said. Guests could wander into two opulent marquees laid on by entrepreneur Nick Jones, who had created two miniature versions of his London restaurants, Pizza East and Cecconi's.
Mr Jones's fashionable Soho House chain of clubs and restaurants is promoted by his host's PR company, Freud Communications. With Mr Jones was his wife, broadcaster Kirsty Young.
The BBC's director-general Mark Thompson, corporation executive Alan Yentob and Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson - another member of the Chipping Norton Set and responsible for introducing Mrs Brooks to her husband, Old Etonian Charlie Brooks - were also present.
Clarkson's wife, Francie, came to the party 'but did not seem to be with Jeremy', according to one guest. The couple's relationship is reported to have been under strain following newspaper claims that Mr Clarkson had an affair with a member of his production staff.
