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Phone hacking: Parties to unite over BSkyB bid call Phone hacking: Media and police engulfed in 'firestorm'
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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. A "firestorm" is engulfing parts of the media and police, and those who had committed offences must be prosecuted, the prime minister has told MPs.
The Tories and Lib Dems are expected to back a Labour motion calling for Mr Murdoch's News Corporation to withdraw the bid while phone hacking at the News of the World is investigated. David Cameron said Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation should stop thinking about mergers and sort out the mess they have made over phone hacking.
The move could ramp up pressure on the media mogul but is not legally binding. It comes as the UK's main political parties are set to unite to urge Mr Murdoch to drop his bid to buy BSkyB.
Prime Minister David Cameron is also set to outline to the Commons the remit of a public inquiry into hacking. The Labour motion could raise pressure on Mr Murdoch but is not binding.
His statement is to follow prime minister's questions which has just got under way and is set to be dominated by the hacking scandal. At prime minister's questions, which is under way, Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was an insult to the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, whose phone was allegedly hacked, that Rebekah Brooks was still News International's chief executive.
Mr Cameron responded: "She was right to resign, that resignation should have been accepted. There needs to be root and branch change at this entire organisation.
"What has happened at this company is disgraceful - it's got to be addressed at every level."
Mr Cameron is now outlining to the Commons the remit of a public inquiry into hacking.
A Commons debate will follow, which the prime minister will not be attending, Downing Street said. His spokesman said Mr Cameron would vote - if it came to one - "providing his diary allows".A Commons debate will follow, which the prime minister will not be attending, Downing Street said. His spokesman said Mr Cameron would vote - if it came to one - "providing his diary allows".
The support for the motion 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.The support for the motion 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.
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 Number 10.
Among the signatories of the motion are the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green party.Among the signatories of the motion are the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green party.
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.
It is understood the judge might have powers to call witnesses, including past and present politicians, and that all media groups - not just the News of the World - could come under scrutiny.It is understood the judge might have powers to call witnesses, including past and present politicians, and that all media groups - not just the News of the World - could come under scrutiny.
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.
Mr Cameron has also argued for a separate inquiry into the relationship between politicians and the press and the future of newspaper regulation.Mr Cameron 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.
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.
VendettaVendetta
Shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis said although any vote would not have an effect on the regulatory process, the support of all MPs would ramp up the pressure on Mr Murdoch to reconsider his position.Shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis said although any vote would not have an effect on the regulatory process, the support of all MPs would ramp up the pressure on Mr Murdoch to reconsider his position.
He rejected suggestions Labour was pursuing a vendetta against News International, which switched its support from Labour to the Tories before the last election.He rejected suggestions Labour was pursuing a vendetta against News International, which switched its support from Labour to the Tories before the last election.
Meanwhile, Labour's communications chief Tom Baldwin is facing renewed questions over claims he handled private information which was gained illegally during his years at the Times newspaper, another News International publication.Meanwhile, Labour's communications chief Tom Baldwin is facing renewed questions over claims he handled private information which was gained illegally during his years at the Times newspaper, another News International publication.
The former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft makes the allegations in a blog posting on ConservativeHome, which he owns. Mr Baldwin has not responded to the claims.The former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft makes the allegations in a blog posting on ConservativeHome, which he owns. Mr Baldwin has not responded to the claims.
On Tuesday, former senior police officers told MPs the original inquiry into phone hacking did not get the attention it deserved because other duties would have been neglected, and News International failed to co-operate with them.On Tuesday, former senior police officers told MPs the original inquiry into phone hacking did not get the attention it deserved because other duties would have been neglected, and News International failed to co-operate with them.
Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said it was now time for News International to explain themselves - as the police had done, and hand over any evidence of corruption among police officers.Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said it was now time for News International to explain themselves - as the police had done, and hand over any evidence of corruption among police officers.
"Let's not play around with legal games here - if they have names, dates, times, places, payments to officers, we would like to see them so that we can lock these officers up and throw away the key," he said."Let's not play around with legal games here - if they have names, dates, times, places, payments to officers, we would like to see them so that we can lock these officers up and throw away the key," he said.