Rupert Murdoch did try to dictate government policy on EU, says Sir John Major

Brown Bomber

Starkest evidence of political interference as ex-PM recalls threat to withdraw papers' support

Rupert Murdoch threatened the Conservatives that unless they changed policy on Europe they would lose the support of his newspapers, Sir John Major revealed yesterday, in the starkest evidence so far of the media tycoon's interference in politics.

The former Prime Minister told the Leveson Inquiry that the proprietor of The Sun and The Times made the threat over dinner in February 1997.
"Mr Murdoch said he really didn't like our European policies," he told Lord Justice Leveson. "That was no surprise to me. He wished me to change our European policies. If we couldn't change our European policies his papers could not, would not support our Conservative Government."

"As I recall he used the word 'we' when referring to his newspapers," added Sir John, who was Prime Minister between 1990 and 1997. "He didn't make the usual nod to editorial independence." The comments flatly contradict Mr Murdoch's evidence to the inquiry on 25 April, when the News Corp chief executive said under oath: "I have never asked a Prime Minister for anything."


Explaining the circumstances of the meeting, which he said took place on 2 February 1997, Sir John said: "Just before the 1997 election it was suggested to me I ought to try to make some effort to get closer to the Murdoch papers. I agreed I would invite Mr Murdoch to dinner."
During the discussion, Mr Murdoch was "edging towards" a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. Sir John, who fought running Parliamentary battles with Tory eurosceptics, added: "There was no question of me changing our policies."

Saying he remembered the discussion clearly, the 69-year-old told Lord Justice Leveson: "It is not often someone sits in front of a Prime Minister and says to a Prime Minister 'I would like you to change your policy or my organisation cannot support you'. It is unlikely to be something I would have forgotten."
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/rupert-murdoch-did-try-to-dictate-government-policy-on-eu-says-sir-john-major-7845036.html

Can't say that I am surprised to be honest. Major & The Tories were given their mandate by the people in democratic elections and this billionaire ****er thinks he can use his influence and money to force policy change. It's telling how freely and openly he felt able to twist the Prime Ministers arm. Where else has he bastardised democracy?

hooradiation

The Leveson Inquiry has been equal parts hilarious (in a bleak way) and infuriating.

On the plus side, the current administration has made substantial noises about forcing Mr. Murdoch to sell off large chunks of his UK empire, which isn't a bad thing.

charlemont

Major should have came out with this a long time ago.