Tom Watson - Bradley must stand firm in face of Murdoch aggression over Sky deal
Tom Watson has urged the Culture Secretary to show that 'we live in a democracy, not a Murdochracy' by referring 21st Century Fox's bid for Sky to the UK's competition watchdog.
Labour's deputy leader and shadow culture secretary said his opposite number Karen Bradley must not be forced into operating on 'Fox's corporate timetable' after she delayed an announcement on the proposed £11.7 billion deal.
Ms Bradley told the Commons that she is still ‘minded to’ refer the takeover to the Competition Markets Authority (CMA), but said she needs more time to consider 'tens of thousands of representations' on the matter.
She said: "A final decision can only be made after fully considering all relevant evidence on both the plurality and commitment to broadcasting grounds.
"Given the consultation only closed on Friday there has not been time to consider all the representations."
She added that she is still 'minded to' refer the bid to the CMA to investigate on media plurality grounds, but she also said she will consider whether to ask it to look at if the Murdochs will adhere to broadcasting standards in the UK.
Media regulator Ofcom has said that it found no grounds to ask the CMA to look at issues including the sexual harassment scandal at Fox News and issues relating to phone hacking.
West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson said Ms Bradley had 'the opportunity to demonstrate that we live in a democracy, not a Murdochracy'.
He added that there was a 'strong possibility of judicial review by one side or the other', regardless of what decision Ms Bradley makes.
He said: "21st Century Fox's lawyers have already written a somewhat intimidating letter to the Secretary of State trying to bounce her into a decision.
"We know that aggression is the Murdochs' modus operandi. We've been on the receiving end of it in this House and we urge the Secretary of State to keep standing firm.
"There is absolutely no need for the Secretary of State to announce a decision during the summer recess - Parliament must have the opportunity to scrutinise any decision she makes.
"It is not her job to operate to 21st Century Fox's corporate timetable - they have to abide by the parliamentary timetable.
"And she should demonstrate to them that she, as an elected representative of the people, is in charge, not them."
Mr Watson asked Ms Bradley to 'get on and just do' part two of the Leveson Inquiry and also to publish minutes of a meeting between Rupert Murdoch and Theresa May in the US in 2016.
