Rupert Murdoch Uses Twitter To Attack David Cameron Over Donor Row

The Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: 26/03/2012 10:00 Updated: 26/03/2012 10:00

Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch has called for a "full independent inquiry" into the donor party scandal currently bringing pressure on David Cameron, in what some have seen as an attempt by the media mogul to gain revenge for an inquiry into press ethics.

Posting on the social networking site Twitter, the News Corporation boss praised the "great Sunday Times scoop" which revealed a Tory party co-treasurer offering privileged access to the prime minister, and influence over policy, in exchange for £250,000.

"What was Cameron thinking? No-one, rightly or wrongly, will believe his story," Murdoch said.

Tory deputy chairman Michael Fallon has insisted no donations to the party could ever influence its policies. "I think [Cruddas] was blustering and boasting. No donation was accepted," he said.

Downing Street has so far refused to release the full list of who the prime minister has dined with in his flat, arguing that the details are a private matter.


Rupert Murdoch
Great Sunday Times scoop. What was Cameron thinking? No-one, rightly or wrongly, will believe his story.

The tweets have been interpreted by some as a somewhat gleeful public attack on the prime minister in the wake of the phone hacking scandal that led to the closure of the News of the World and the setting up of the Leveson Inquiry into the activities of the press.

Murdoch's News Corporation owns The Sunday Times as well as The Times, The Sun and the newly launched Sun On Sunday which replaced the NotW.

Murdoch's message was something of a "pox on all your houses" approach to the British political class as he the referenced the the cash-for-peerages row during Tony Blair's time as prime minister, in which Labour was accused of selling places in the House of Lords in exchange for large donations.

"Cameron should have just followed history and flogged some seats in the Lords, if they still have value! precedents of centuries," he said.


Rupert Murdoch
Cameron should have just followed history and flogged some seats in the Lords, if they still have value! precedents of centuries .

He added: "Of course there must be a full independent inquiry on both sides. In great detail, and with consequences. Trust must be established."


Rupert Murdoch
Of course there must be a full independent inquiry on both sides. In great detail, and with consequences. Trust must be established.

Murdoch's final words on the row gave an ominous warning: "Without trust, democracy, and order will go."


Rupert Murdoch
Without trust, democracy, and order will go.

His comments are a far cry from the public backing given to Cameron and the Conservative Party by The Sun in the run-up to the 2010 general election, having concluded Labour "failed the country".

FOLLOW UK POLITICS

Rupert Murdoch has called for a "full independent inquiry" into the donor party scandal currently bringing pressure on David Cameron, in what some have seen as an attempt by the media mogul to gain re...
Rupert Murdoch has called for a "full independent inquiry" into the donor party scandal currently bringing pressure on David Cameron, in what some have seen as an attempt by the media mogul to gain re...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 48
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3  Next ›  Last »  (3 total)
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Matthew Harrold
Huzzah!
04:09 PM on 03/27/2012
Hilarious on so many levels, but in truth this is repayment for Cameron not protecting Murdoch's interests within the U.K.
fredgladys
Your Micro-bio is empty, I know, stop nagging.
05:39 AM on 03/27/2012
Rupert Murdoch has called for a "full independent inquiry" into the donor party scandal.

Oh puhlease, Murdock the emperor of muck playing the indignant saint, as they say, talk about laugh, I laughed until I cried.
photo
vividrick
I came, I saw...I had a cup of tea!
02:45 AM on 03/27/2012
...he's got a nerve, I bet he's bought his way to influence everything & every way he could! Monster!
12:52 AM on 03/27/2012
There is an old saying "long runs the fox", it just seems to fit Rupert Murdoch's comments.
northern git
fed up with all the political crap in life
10:29 PM on 03/26/2012
Murdoch just cannot leave Britain alone can he
05:16 PM on 03/26/2012
If I made a donation to the Conservative Party, it would have to be on condition I did not have to meet Cameron, the arch PR spiv.
05:01 PM on 03/26/2012
There will be no trust unless there is some justice to all this. In order to build trust, those guilty need to face justice and punishment.
04:54 PM on 03/26/2012
This reminds me wasnt it wonderfully convenient that a wealthy Tory Party supporter purchased a house and land opposite Mr Cameroons home and generously allowed Mr Cameron to purchase a little strip of land adjacent to Mr Cameron's which had come with the property ? All above board and legal of course ! Just so, so very convenient.
04:29 PM on 03/26/2012
Pot and kettle
04:23 PM on 03/26/2012
Murdoch will go for the jugular now - watch this space. What will the Lib/dems think? or will they jump ship before they get embroilled in this
04:11 PM on 03/26/2012
That's a first. The worm has turned on the worm !!!
04:43 PM on 03/26/2012
yup . . and it will get even nastier
03:50 PM on 03/26/2012
Well Mr C, this is what happens when people in glass houses throw stones.
03:46 PM on 03/26/2012
They hurt his empire! Now he is out to hurt theirs! And it would be wise to let the tycoons fight it out amongst themselves while we sit back ready to pick up the pieces.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
velvetundergroundfan
03:45 PM on 03/26/2012
BBC to make fresh claims of Rupert Murdoch firm law-breaking

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/9164128/BBC-to-make-fresh-claims-of-Rupert-Murdoch-firm-law-breaking.html#.T29Hsbw-Mp4.email

Panorama reveals fresh hacking allegations at the heart of News Corporation's pay-TV empire.

The investigation examines the role of former senior police officers in recruiting people to break the law - in order to bring down Murdoch's commercial rival.
photo
novelist2000
veritas non olet
07:32 AM on 03/27/2012
If or probably when this is proven, the shareholders who lost their money when ITV collapsed should take News to court for compensating them. Apparently, one billion was lost there, and it is not inconceivable that it was your or my pension fund who had to cop losses.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
03:44 PM on 03/26/2012
we are the media,not the sun, times,bbc etc