MP targets Murdoch

A BIPARTISAN Tory-Labour alliance to curb the power of Rupert Murdoch was proposed yesterday. Labour MP Chris Mullin suggested cross- party co-operation after the disclosure that the media tycoon tried to use his newspapers to force John Major into an election pact.

"He is now so powerful that no one party can take him on because they fear he will unleash his newspapers on them," said the MP. "The only way out is for the leaders of both parties to come up with a common agenda in the interests of democracy. I know there is great concern among senior Tories at the extent to which Murdoch has got out of control, and there is, therefore, a window of opportunity for both main parties to do something."

His proposal emerged after disclosures on BBC Radio 4's Week in Westminster that Mr Murdoch attempted to pressure Mr Major into ruling out a single European currency as the price of electoral support from his tabloid titles.

Sheila Gunn, press aide to the former prime minister, told how the media boss and Stuart Higgins, editor of the Sun went to Chequers for a "High Noon" bargaining session with Mr Major. "There was a clear implication the Sun would not support John Major unless he ruled out a single currency," she said.

Mr Murdoch subsequently swung the powerful support of his tabloid papers behind Labour, after Tony Blair had written aEuro-sceptic article for the Sun.

Mr Mullin said: "Rupert Murdoch has debased our democracy, and sooner or later we have to pluck up the courage to deal with him."

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