bridge too far

Bloody hell! Oh hang on - David Icke.

I think it was about 'big' in the sense of influential (although in my view that's debatable - at least there is competition in televised news) with its radio and tv as well as internet coverage. Obviously 'downsizing' would impact on its influence, but I don't think he was that concerned about it being bloated. I took bloated to mean there were too many managers. If that's not what you meant, then apologies.

Maybe - but that's a different argument and not really germane to this discussion I think.

I did say allegedly! It's conjecture on my part from reading various articles but here are excerpts from a couple of articles that support my suspicions, together with links to the full articles. But it's also a view that I've heard on broadcasts during the past week or so. David Cameron had barely unpacked his bags at Number 10 in May when who should pay him a visit entering via the backdoor? Rupert Murdoch. The suspicion has to be that what they talked about was how Cameron could re-pay Rupert for the vocal support the UK’s most popular daily newspaper had given the Tories ever since it turned on Gordon Brown the day after his Labour Party conference speech in September 2009 from http://blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/editor/2011/03/04/bskyb-deal-murdoch-should-make-undertakings-to-secure-political-independence-of-the-sun/ What can David Cameron do for Rupert Murdoch in return for the media mogul granting him support by The Sun? Well, there are two key areas on which the two men appear to be in broad agreement: the BBC is too big and Ofcom is too powerful. They have both made it clear in recent months that they are singing from the same hymn book. Rupert's son, James (aka His Master's Voice), made a scathing attack on the BBC at the Edinburgh TV festival in August. from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2009/oct/02/davidcameron-rupert-murdoch

This manipulation of governments has been going on for more than 30 years, so point scoring is pointless.

I think the hypocrites on all sides of the political divide will face uncomfortable questions. I think this will run and run and I also think there's a lot more muck to be uncovered. We've all accepted, I think, that Murdoch wielded far too much power over politicians (and I imagine we'll find out why eventually) but I have two main concerns. Firstly, I'm really worried about the role of senior police officers in all this. Hayman leaving the Met then immediately getting a job with Murdoch's rag and also one of Murdoch's employees being employed as a PR consultant to the Met. This is all additional to my worries abot rank and file officers getting bungs. Secondly, I'm also concerned about the reports that Cameron allegedly told Murdoch he'd not only get his BSkyB takeover but that the government would ensure that the BBC lost a lot of its funding and therefore ability to carry out proper news reporting, to Murdoch's advantage, if Murdoch supported him in last year's General Election.

My dad regularly went to the Dell when he could. I worshipped my Dad and, when I was about 7, I asked him if I could go with him (not to watch football but just to be with my dad). He built a box for me to stand on in the Milton Road end. I won't say I was hooked immediately (girls didn't really get taught much about football in those days) but I loved spending the afternoon with him and without my pesky little brother. But I did become hooked when I was about 10 and I've never, ever been tempted to support anyone else, even though I lived all over the place. My daughters aren't really interested in any football team but my son and his son are Saints supporters through and through. Sadly, my 2 year old grandson is an Everton supporter, although he doesn't realise it yet

What did you expect him to do? Sit back and do / say nothing? For 30 years or more politicians from all sides have been sh*t scared of Murdoch and none of them wanted to upset the apple cart for fear of his perceived power. At least Miliband led from the front instead of dithering like Cameron. And so much kudos to Tom Watson (Labour MP) and the Guardian for sticking with this one.

Just renewed mine for £50 cheaper this year (mind you, I was only paying about £200 anyway). But Mr TF has always found Admiral the most competitive (for his limited edition Subaru) although they weren't for my modest Mazda 3.

You nasty, vindictive lot. She's worked as a psychiactric nurse for the NHS for 30 odd years, and until ill-health forced early retirement, he was a TV cameraman. She's 55, and nurses are able to retire at that age (at the moment) if they want to for health reasons. Why can't you all be pleased for them?

On one of the sites set up to petition about the BSkyB takeover, someone mentioned the name Barry Beardall. I made my one and only comment - 'google Barry the Briefcase' so maybe a search on his name produced a link to his nickname? Although googling his name does set up links to our takeover.

Great, great speech by Gordon right now.

I think he's just forgotten to put a comma in the first sentence after 'NI'. It makes more sense that way.

Interesting to read all this because I reckon I'll be a customer soon Snapped medial ligament (stitched back together) and ACL 'hanging by a thread' says my orthopod, due to a skiing accident some years ago. However, I carried on with my dance exercises, particularly quad strengthening and abductor / aductor work and, so far, so good. Although my knees are a good weather forecaster. Good luck Viking and let us know how it goes.

No doubt it will all come out in one of the enquiries. I'm sure some politicians of all shades will be bricking it right now, since the enquiries can demand they testify on oath.

Great news! And a great result by and for the British people. But will he try again another day?

Didn't they acquire Saab via Spyker?

Nick - I started to watch this report being presented earlier (but got lost in acronyms). I do recall however that these projections (and projected liabilities) are for the next 50 years.

I suppose he could have asked Dave what shade of Grecian 2000 he uses because he, Ed, wants to cover up his Mallen streak.

Because he gets the first go at asking questions once the PM has told us all what he's been doing and will be doing.

Only Miliband? Get real

.......

Something along the lines of 'look Gordon, we've got this stuff about your boy. We're going to publish it regardless, but I thought I'd give you the heads up before we do'?

I would have thought, though, that common courtesy would have dictated a conversation with GB before going to the press?

He didn't accuse the Sun of illegal practices with regard to his son's medical condition. He referred to criminal activity only with regard to his personal financial information. I know I'm repeating myself, but it begs the question of how the 'informant' knew about the boy's medical condition. And what gave HIM the right to pass this information to the press.