Wednesday, April 25, 2012

#Leveson Inquiry :Gordon Brown was unbalanced, says Rupert Murdoch

Former prime minister threatened to declare war on News Corporation, Murdoch tells Leveson inquiry
Rupert Murdoch told Leveson Gordon Brown had responded angrily when he learned the Sun would support the Conservatives. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Rupert Murdoch has told the Leveson inquiry Gordon Brown was "unbalanced" after recounting details of a hostile phone conversation with the former Labour prime minister in 2009.
The tycoon spoke of what he characterised as an angry Labour leader shortly after it emerged that the Sun was going to support the Conservatives, saying that Brown pledged to "declare war" on News Corporation.

Murdoch said he told Brown "we have come to the conclusion that we will support a change of government when and if there's an election" and said that the prime minister responded by threatening him.

According to Murdoch, Brown said: "Well, your company has declared war on my government and we have no alternative but to make war on your company."

Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, asked Murdoch how he thought the prime minister could have attacked News Corp. "I don't know. I don't think he was in a very balanced state of mind," Murdoch replied. "I don't know. Set up more commissions."
More details soon …

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/apr/25/gordon-brown-unbalanced-rupert-murdoch