Murdochs face grilling over dealings with Downing Street

Rupert Murdoch prepares to answer questions about his relationships with prime ministers at the Leveson Inquiry (Getty Images)

Rupert Murdoch was in London yesterday preparing for his appearance before the Leveson Inquiry to answer questions about his relationship with prime ministers from Margaret Thatcher to David Cameron.

The 81-year-old media mogul will give evidence tomorrow, a day after his son James is due to give testimony about his interaction with politicians while executive chairman of News International, the Murdoch subsidiary which he was in charge of prior to the phone- hacking revelations at the News of the World.

James Murdoch will face uncomfortable questions about his knowledge of the extent of voicemail interception at the defunct Sunday newspaper, which targeted a number of prominent Labour politicians and aides.

Mr Murdoch Senior, who arrived in Britain at the weekend, has returned to London in bullish form, criticising the Coalition for a range of policies.