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Phone hacking: Parties to unite over BSkyB bid call Phone hacking: Parties to unite over BSkyB bid call
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The UK's main political parties are set to unite to urge Rupert Murdoch to drop his bid to buy broadcaster BSkyB.The UK's main political parties are set to unite to urge Rupert Murdoch to drop his bid to buy broadcaster BSkyB.
The Tories and Lib Dems are expected to back a Labour motion calling for Mr Murdoch's News Corporation to drop the bid while phone hacking at the News of the World is investigated.The Tories and Lib Dems are expected to back a Labour motion calling for Mr Murdoch's News Corporation to drop the bid while phone hacking at the News of the World is investigated.
The vote could ramp up pressure on the media mogul but is not legally binding.The vote could ramp up pressure on the media mogul but is not legally binding.
Prime Minister David Cameron is also set to outline to the Commons the remit of a public inquiry into hacking.Prime Minister David Cameron is also set to outline to the Commons the remit of a public inquiry into hacking.
Labour says the support of Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs for its parliamentary motion would send a "clear message" to Mr Murdoch. Labour says unanimous support for its parliamentary motion would send a "clear message" to Mr Murdoch.
It comes after Mr Cameron met Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband at Downing Street to discuss the hacking scandal on Tuesday.It comes after Mr Cameron met Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband at Downing Street to discuss the hacking scandal on Tuesday.
Competition Commission Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson is believed to have updated the three men on the current state of the police inquiry into hacking claims when he visited number 10.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson is believed to have updated the three men on the current state of the police inquiry into hacking claims when he visited No 10.
In other developments:In other developments:
The prime minister has conceded the need for a judge-led public inquiry into what took place at the News of the World, flaws in the initial police investigation and allegations of improper links between police and the newspapers.The prime minister has conceded the need for a judge-led public inquiry into what took place at the News of the World, flaws in the initial police investigation and allegations of improper links between police and the newspapers.
He has also argued for a separate inquiry into the relationship between politicians and the press and the future of newspaper regulation.He has also argued for a separate inquiry into the relationship between politicians and the press and the future of newspaper regulation.
Mr Miliband has urged him to go further, to start a single probe immediately - rather than awaiting the outcome of the police investigation - and for its terms of reference to be as wide as possible.Mr Miliband has urged him to go further, to start a single probe immediately - rather than awaiting the outcome of the police investigation - and for its terms of reference to be as wide as possible.
BBC political correspondent Vicki Young said Labour believed they had got everything they wanted out of Tuesday's meeting as both sides sought to appear on the front foot over the scandal.BBC political correspondent Vicki Young said Labour believed they had got everything they wanted out of Tuesday's meeting as both sides sought to appear on the front foot over the scandal.
Mr Cameron's statement is likely to follow prime minister's questions - which is set to be dominated by the issue - and precede an opposition day debate on News Corp's planned takeover of BSkyB.Mr Cameron's statement is likely to follow prime minister's questions - which is set to be dominated by the issue - and precede an opposition day debate on News Corp's planned takeover of BSkyB.
It is thought the prime minister could name the judge who will lead the public inquiry into phone hacking.It is thought the prime minister could name the judge who will lead the public inquiry into phone hacking.
Following fresh revelations about alleged malpractice at News International - News Corp's UK newspaper arm - Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt referred the company's bid to acquire the 61% of shares it does not already own in BSkyB to the Competition Commission.Following fresh revelations about alleged malpractice at News International - News Corp's UK newspaper arm - Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt referred the company's bid to acquire the 61% of shares it does not already own in BSkyB to the Competition Commission.
But MPs want News Corp to pre-empt the regulator's inquiry - and Mr Hunt's final decision on whether to approve the deal - by agreeing to withdraw the bid.But MPs want News Corp to pre-empt the regulator's inquiry - and Mr Hunt's final decision on whether to approve the deal - by agreeing to withdraw the bid.
'National interest' Vendetta
Shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis said he welcomed the backing of both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats for his party's motion.Shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis said he welcomed the backing of both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats for his party's motion.
He said the support of all MPs would ramp up the pressure on Mr Murdoch to reconsider his position. Although the vote will not have an effect on the regulatory process, he said the support of all MPs would ramp up the pressure on Mr Murdoch to reconsider his position.
"The public will not understand it if the BSkyB deal were to go ahead without all the criminal matters that are currently under investigation being resolved," he said."The public will not understand it if the BSkyB deal were to go ahead without all the criminal matters that are currently under investigation being resolved," he said.
Mr Lewis rejected suggestions Labour was pursuing a vendetta against News International - which switched its support from Labour to the Tories before the last election.Mr Lewis rejected suggestions Labour was pursuing a vendetta against News International - which switched its support from Labour to the Tories before the last election.
"This is not just about News International," he added. "It is also an issue that other newspapers in this country have to be honest about and have to come clean about.""This is not just about News International," he added. "It is also an issue that other newspapers in this country have to be honest about and have to come clean about."
'Clearing names'
The Commons Culture Committee has asked Mr Murdoch - who is in London to oversee the crisis, his son James and News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks to appear before it next Tuesday to answer questions about the News of the World's closure and the firm's internal inquiry.
Tory MP Louise Mensch, a member of the committee, said the Murdochs should show "leadership and courage" by agreeing to appear at the hearing.
Doing so would enable them to "clear their name and clear the name of their company", she told the BBC.
But she said it was naive to believe questionable practices were "confined" to News International.
"My concern is News Corporation does not become the bogeyman for what I believe is an industry-wide problem. This is widespread across British tabloids and has gone on for far too long."
News International has said it will "fully co-operate" with the committee but has not yet confirmed who, if anyone, will attend.