Murdoch urged to drop BSkyB bid
Rupert Murdoch has been urged to abandon his takeover bid for BSkyB after it emerged that all three main parties will back a call for him to drop his plans.
The Tories and the Liberal Democrats said they would be supporting a motion tabled by Labour leader Ed Miliband when it comes before MPs on Wednesday.
The text insists it is “in the public interest for Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation to withdraw their bid for BSkyB”.
Mr Miliband said: “I welcome news that the Government says it will support our motion.
“It is now for Rupert Murdoch to recognise the strength of public feeling and the will of all the major parties.”
The development comes as the Prime Minister, his Liberal Democrat deputy Nick Clegg and Mr Miliband prepare to hold talks this evening on the phone-hacking scandal.
Labour has called a debate on the row on one of the regular Opposition Days, when it has the opportunity to determine the subject for discussion on the floor of the House of Commons.
In a separate development Rupert Murdoch, his son James, and News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks have been asked to appear before MPs next week to answer questions about the phone-hacking scandal.
Commons Culture Committee chairman John Whittingdale originally said he was “very pleased” that the trio had accepted an invitation to give evidence but doubt has now emerged about whether they will in fact appear.
Tuesday's other developments:
Police chiefs say News International 'failed to cooperate'
News International denies Gordon Brown hacking claims.
Murdoch plans News Corp share buy-back scheme.
Police chief "certain" his phone was hacked.
Thousands of hack victims still to be told
Senior Metropolitan Police officers, past and present, have been giving evidence to MPs about the phone-hacking scandal.
It follows a week of controversial revelations surrounding News International, which led to the News of the World being axed.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, who is in charge of the current investigation, said police had only contacted 170 people on a list that contained 3,870 names, 5,000 landline numbers and 4,000 mobile numbers.
Among the suspected hacking victims who have been contacted by police are the parents of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and former prime minister Gordon Brown.
News International has denied The Sun newspaper had accessed the medical records of Gordon Brown’s son, saying “the story had originated from a member of the public”.
