Margaret Thatcher Dead: Rupert Murdoch Praises 'Brave' Premier

Rupert Murdoch Praises 'Brave' Thatcher

Rupert Murdoch has praised the "brave leadership" of Margaret Thatcher, claiming Britain is "far more successful" as a result of her premiership.

In an opinion column in Wednesday's Times newspaper, the controversial tycoon praised Baroness Thatcher's role in facing down the trade unions in the 1980s.

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Mrs Thatcher receiving a humanitarian award from Rupert Murdoch in 1991

He said the government made it possible for News International to survive a year of industrial action fighting against a move of operations to Wapping, East London.

Mr Murdoch said: "Mrs Thatcher understood that risk was a vital ingredient in a free enterprise society. She understood that such a society had to be led by a government with backbone.

"After the Second World War, in which the country lost a second generation of its finest men, Britain had created a dependency state. It killed off aspiration.

"In 1979 Margaret Thatcher set about its rehabilitation. She put the economy on a sound footing, she ended a culture of crippling strikes, she encouraged entrepreneurs to come here and set up their businesses.

"Thanks to her I have experienced in Britain many of my defining moments as a businessman, a Britain that is far more successful as a result of her brave leadership."

The News International boss said Lady Thatcher was a "risk taker" who "believed in doing the right thing".

He said he had been "inspired" by her leadership during his business life.