Ed Miliband to publish media meetings

Ed Miliband said today that he would publish records of his meetings with media executives (PA)

Ed Miliband said today that he would publish records of his meetings with media executives while he was campaigning for his party's leadership.

Conservative MPs had called on the Labour leader to release details of his contact with editors and media executives following David Cameron's decision yesterday to publish his similar meetings.

Mr Miliband had previously declared his media contacts since becoming Labour leader last September, but Tories hoped that revelations of his meetings with Press chiefs between the General Election in May and September 2010 would show he was keen to boost support for his leadership bid.

Speaking in today's Commons debate on public confidence in the media and police, Mr Miliband said: "I welcome the Prime Minister's decision to be more transparent about meetings with executives and editors.

"I published all my meetings since I have been leader of the Labour Party - of course I will go back to the General Election."

Mr Miliband admitted he had "one lunch" with News International, adding: "It was profoundly unsuccessful, as people will have gathered."

He referred to his nickname in the publisher's flagship daily, saying: "I can be accused of many things, but a cosy and sweetheart relationship with The Sun newspaper - "Red Ed" and all that - I really don't think is one of them."

Tory Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) said: "I'm glad to hear he will publish all the meetings he had (with the media) before he became leader because transparency is the greatest disinfectant."