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Media Integrity > Published by Claire French, July 11th 2011 at 12:33 pm

Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax

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Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt’s decision to consult broadcasting regulator Ofcom for advice on whether Rupert Murdoch would be a “fit and proper” person to own 100 per cent of BSkyB poses more questions than merely those of media plurality.

Rupert-Murdoch-tax-avoiderSince the mid-1990s, countries including Britain have allowed the media mogul to pay little corporation tax. As far back as 1995, the Independent reported that in the previous ten years, Murdoch’s News International had paid “virtually no tax”.

While corporation tax was set at 33 per cent, NI paid £11.74m of its £979.4m profit - just 1.2 per cent.

As recently as 2009, News Corporation’s proprietor was being pursued by his homeland’s government after failing to pay the correct rate of corporation tax, both in Australia and the United States.

Earlier this year, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) treasury officials won a legal battle, which awarded them A$77m for avoided taxes and duties. The Guardian reported in 2005 that Murdoch’s family company was moved to Bermuda; the tax bill of A$1.2 billion had the potential to be avoided.

Trevor Bransdon, from financial consultants Godfrey Pembrokem, said:

“Their (ACT’s) claim is that they were owed stamp duty on the transfer of the company from ACT to wherever it’s finished up, I think that’s Bermuda and after about four years investigation and two years of pursuing they’ve managed to get an estimated 77 million out of Rupert in a mix of duties and penalties.”

Having been accused of tax avoidance in a series of legal “flip and spin” moves to tax havens, one government issued a new tax that News Corporation couldn’t avoid. Three years ago, Murdoch’s most powerful competitor in Italy, prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, hit back at his rival by doubling the rate of VAT on pay-to-watch television subscriptions to 20 per cent.

As the Financial Times reported in 2008:

“The 10 per cent rate was set by the first Berlusconi government in 1995, when Mr Murdoch was entering the Italian market and the media moguls were on friendlier terms.”

Murdoch’s empire is not the first or only media company to avoid paying the necessary amount of tax; Conrad Black, convicted in America of fraud and once owner of the third largest group of newspapers in the world, including the Daily Telegraph, wrote in an editorial in 2000:

“People have a legal and moral duty not to evade tax, but they also have a legal and moral right to work out how to pay as little tax as possible, a right which it is in the interest of all citizens to uphold.”

  • http://twitter.com/rattlecans/status/90383353152421888 Ma

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/clairee_french/status/90383581872009216 Claire French

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/donmackeen/status/90383593104355347 donmackeen

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/el_amster/status/90383651287728128 Amster

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/lizajthompson/status/90383951696367618 Liza Thompson

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/kevbarry1/status/90384595001946112 Kevin Barry

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/jos21/status/90384864167215104 Jos Bell

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/isdancing/status/90384943154331648 Mabel Horrocks

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/sirenofbrixton/status/90385301159165952 Siren of Brixton

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/njgard/status/90386161389936640 Nigel Gardner

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/therightarticle/status/90386327106891776 Michael

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/o1WMPA

  • http://twitter.com/gorillagert/status/90386436582420480 Kirsty

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/debsalini/status/90386622230708224 Deborah Segalini

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/thatgeoffchap/status/90386897557405696 Geoff White

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/onlyrad/status/90387786410106880 Rad

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/feministletters/status/90387861744005121 Feminist Letters

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking #ukuncut

  • http://twitter.com/davese22/status/90388107689594880 David Thorpe

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/postmaterialgrl/status/90388507092201472 post material girl

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/tomjamesscott/status/90388622301331456 Tom Scott

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/johnddavies/status/90388783530385408 John Davies

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/maxatkinson/status/90388965802250240 Max Atkinson

    RT @leftfootfwd: Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://bit.ly/pEht2r

  • http://twitter.com/jos21/status/90389001067962369 Jos Bell

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/ldtuc/status/90389083943206912 L DTUC

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/brianfmoylan/status/90390760800780288 Brian Moylan

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite #Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34

  • http://twitter.com/eldarat2003/status/90390804010516480 laura el darrat

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/soisthesun/status/90390891226869760 soisthesun

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/a_sanguinarius/status/90390968104255488 A Sanguinarius

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/apachie80/status/90391206298779648 Habeeb Yusuf

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/archerkath/status/90391364440825857 Kath Archer

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/vdisappointed/status/90391686315917312 Cyrus Bulsara

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/tess1959/status/90391792159166464 Teresa

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/julianhburchill/status/90391845481365504 Chris Marshall

    RT @leftfootfwd: Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://bit.ly/pEht2r

  • http://twitter.com/hopbin/status/90393110386974720 James Maddison

    #Murdoch again ! http://t.co/KWEhcAs

  • http://twitter.com/benniblett/status/90393256927567872 Ben Niblett

    Interesting take on #NOTW: NewsCorp's tax avoidance http://t.co/oRS8k7T

  • http://twitter.com/t_i_b/status/90393412934696960 T_i_B

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/absolutedissent/status/90393528143843328 AbsoluteDissent

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes http://is.gd/jobA34 -more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/boudledidge/status/90393766527107072 Hannah M

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/cUiK9H7

  • http://twitter.com/xnowherexmanx/status/90393989324341248 michael john day

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #pho

  • http://twitter.com/warelane/status/90394272137883649 Julian Ware-Lane

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/JOTdNjs

  • http://twitter.com/chrisjbd/status/90394721188450304 Chris

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/paul_burgin/status/90394896774610945 Paul Burgin

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/JOTdNjs

  • http://twitter.com/jafaweegie/status/90395217559166976 Jafa Weegie

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/jafaweegie/status/90395597756051456 Jafa Weegie

    Murdoch: "do as I say, not as I do: vote the way I tell you, and pay your tax. I won't be paying mine…" http://t.co/cfbInoe #ukuncut #nowt

  • http://twitter.com/mr_pukeko/status/90395656308527105 Matt Jeffs

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/goochdoghigh5s/status/90395886651318274 Doug Harper

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/tracyandrab/status/90396689206231041 tracy ewan

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/o1WMPA

  • http://twitter.com/goodoldmj/status/90398321599979520 Martin Johnston

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/jaqi/status/90399107226673152 jaqi

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/amandakendal/status/90399368326287361 Amanda Kendal

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/jaqi/status/90399372143116288 jaqi

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/cvXGeC3

  • http://twitter.com/jaqi/status/90399897022496768 jaqi

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/cvXGeC3 UK GOV SHOULD MAKE HIM PAY TAX

  • http://twitter.com/pierrepetrelli/status/90400133400891392 Petrelli Pierre

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/cvXGeC3 UK GOV SHOULD MAKE HIM PAY TAX

  • http://twitter.com/karldavis1979/status/90401457295204353 Karl Davis

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/spikeisland100/status/90401863639375872 Paul Krishnamurty

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/macinpoole/status/90402612540751872 malcolm

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/mraxtl/status/90404846628380672 dm

    Guess what Lord Ashcroft and #Murdoch have in common. Other than being slimey right-wing c*nts… http://t.co/9Fw5uw6 via @leftfootfwd

  • http://twitter.com/simonzec23/status/90406157948166144 Simon Zec

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/jenipurpleness/status/90406690746404866 Jeni Acelas

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/sjtomlin1/status/90407301449662464 sam tomlin

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/nobleaccounting/status/90408640334401536 Russ Noble

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax http://bit.ly/rczQLw

  • http://twitter.com/pieman70/status/90410412163604481 Murray Christison

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/ochre_lad/status/90411531879198722 Hugh Potter

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/tonydowling/status/90415593840328704 Tony Dowling

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/jackielive/status/90415998276075521 Jackie Fleming

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://bit.ly/n8Osth

  • http://twitter.com/apeirokalia/status/90416085408563200 marisa faizul

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/thirteensteps/status/90416235442999297 Andrew Hall

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/dubious1977/status/90416600326483968 David Dubost

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/tonydowling/status/90417224254357504 Tony Dowling

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34 – more on #phonehacking scandal

  • http://twitter.com/interuncut/status/90419693638254592 InternationalUNCUT

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax | Left Foot Forward http://fb.me/B1ngBmPo

  • Anon E Mouse

    Claire French – The Guardian Newspaper also tells us how to vote yet they avoid huge amounts of tax in this country as well. It is LEGAL. It is called Tax Avoidance – ask Labour’s Tessa Jowell.

    Her husband is a leading Tax Avoidance lawyer…

    Is that OK or are you displaying typical Labour hypocrisy and secretly subscribe to Sky TV yourself?

  • http://twitter.com/shazrahman30/status/90423581611261954 Shajidur Rahman

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax: http://bit.ly/nMkNrv writes @clairee_french #phonehacking

  • http://twitter.com/apachie80/status/90424316004532224 Habeeb Yusuf

    Can tax super-avoider Murdoch really pass Ofcom's "fit and proper" test for media ownership? asks @clairee_french http://t.co/xWHSKMv

  • http://twitter.com/a_sanguinarius/status/90424405842337793 A Sanguinarius

    Can tax super-avoider Murdoch really pass Ofcom's "fit and proper" test for media ownership? asks @clairee_french http://t.co/xWHSKMv

  • http://twitter.com/frdragonspouse/status/90425991536713728 Jill Hayward

    Can tax super-avoider Murdoch really pass Ofcom's "fit and proper" test for media ownership? asks @clairee_french http://t.co/xWHSKMv

  • http://twitter.com/misstmink/status/90427312742477824 Miss T. Mink

    Can tax super-avoider Murdoch really pass Ofcom's "fit and proper" test for media ownership? asks @clairee_french http://t.co/xWHSKMv

  • http://twitter.com/pcs_gonw_branch/status/90431434640207873 Rep in the Region

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • http://twitter.com/welshandfree/status/90431619638362112 David C Thomas

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/emqoEGc

  • http://twitter.com/flutterbug20011/status/90436205665202176 t hill

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite #Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax writes @clairee_french http://is.gd/jobA34

  • http://twitter.com/hens4freedom/status/90437806270328832 Hens4Freedom

    Can tax super-avoider Murdoch really pass Ofcom's "fit and proper" test for media ownership? asks @clairee_french http://t.co/xWHSKMv

  • http://www.order-order.com Guido Fawkes

    Like GMG, it has hundreds of millions of assets in the Caymans?

  • Fabian

    yes, we know the guardian is left leaning. yes, we know that GMG avoids taxes. Yes, we know that LFF is clearly biased in favour of labour. But this article isn’t about GMG or labour, is it?
    Talk about a pathetic defence of tax avoidance. Anybody can think straight away of a number of morally dubious actions that are perfectly legal, its legality doesn’t mean we can’t call someone’s integrity into question for it.

  • http://twitter.com/jenniferhiller1/status/90456606382366720 Jennifer Hiller

    Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in UK tax http://bit.ly/ntY8bE

  • http://twitter.com/macinpoole/status/90461375591223296 malcolm

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • Leon Wolfson

    Mouse – Funny, you’re once more spinning one situation into “the party”. Okay, want me to bring up every individual Tory mis-step?

    There are several ways, in reality, to handle this.

    One, crack down on tax loopholes and collect the proper amount of tax. This is the favoured soloution of most of the West, but the UK already collected a relatively low proportion of it’s tax revenue, and the Tories are taking steps which will lower it further.

    Two, set tax rates such that even with avoidance by the rich, a reasonable actual tax rate exists. This worked quite well in America for some time, but it ended…without the loopholes being closed, and hence lead to the problems in America of *their* tax gap.

    So… one or the other! Rather than your Tory policy of letting the rich not pay their proper tax rates.

  • Ed’s Talking Balls

    Thank goodness The Guardian is still fighting the good fight against the evil tax avoiders. Now, if only the News of the World could run one last copy next Sunday decrying the evils of phone tapping…

  • Anon E Mouse

    Leon Wolfson – Which sounds great except Labour were in power for 13 years and did nothing about it. They even rewarded the bankers with knighthoods.

    You didn’t notice my ironic comment about the profession of Tessa Jowell’s husband and perhaps when you realise America only reduced unemployment by 18K last month and has the second highest business tax rate at 35% behind only Japan.

    Clearly high taxes and high unemployment seem to be linked. Labour, the party of big business, city slickers, bankers and spivs are just being hypocrites. Please tell me how you feel about the GMG and whether you support Rupert Murdoch by subscribing to sky Leon Wolfson.

    I await your excuse for doing so….

  • http://twitter.com/mrsheeno/status/90482039932977152 James Sheen

    Rupert Murdoch tax avoider: http://t.co/SJIoVWn

  • Dave Citizen

    Anon – rather than simply finding ever more obscure ways to say “but Labour is just as bad or worse” – what is your view? Is it ok for Murdoch and co to influence, preach to and manipulate the British political scene while avoiding as much tax as they possibly can?

    I for one think we should severely restrict the ability of any organisation to manipulate our democracy. If they aren’t playing by the spirit of our tax rules at the same time then sling-em-out I say.

  • Leon Wolfson

    Mouse – Sky? I don’t have a TV at all. I can’t afford a TV licence. The only newspapers I read are free ones, on the Tube.

    I’m calling on Labour to act in a way such that I can vote for them next time round. No more, no less. I’m aware that not voting them them is a boon for the Tories, and that it’s in your interest to try and put me off, but you really need to change tactics if you’re doing anything but proving the nasty party is strong with this one.

  • Anon E Mouse

    Dave Citizen – I do not want to live in a country where governments decide what is or what isn’t appropriate for me to watch or read or listen to.

    I saw the expenses scandal and it showed how dishonest the people we put into power actually are.

    Will you be advocating throwing out the guardian Media Group then, being a man of conviction as you’ve always claimed to be?

  • Anon E Mouse

    Leon Wolfson – So you are saying that Cameron had bad judgement in employing Andy Coulson is as bad as lying to the country about WMD where thousands of innocent people died?

    Or that Ed Miliband employing Tom Baldwin, also ex News International was any different?

    The nasty party took away the 10p tax rate and short of an outright Lib Dem government I just see this coalition as being better.

    As brave as I’ve said elsewhere that Miliband is taking on Murdoch, all he has done is convinced Labour to stick with him which will result in them losing the next election worse than if they ditched him and put his brother in.

    Sally Bercow has tweeted about Labour’s record with Murdoch and she may be right…

  • Anon E Mouse

    Dave Citizen – Is it OK for the BBC which has to be paid for under threat of imprisonment to have its bias?

    It’s far more powerful than Murdoch – it’s just that you don’t like the fact he smashed the print union dinosaurs…

  • Dave Citizen

    Anon – so you can say what you don’t want, but what about what you do want? What do you think is a healthy amount of media influence for a private individual or family to accumulate in a democracy? And what do you think should be done about such families when their organisations break a democracy’s laws so flagrantly?

    This story is about the manipulation of our politics by narrow private interests, not about government controlling what we can watch – just go on the internet and you’ll find pretty much anything you want. But rest assured, the fringe voices out there are very effectively kept at the fringe by elite interests of which the Murdochs are a leading light.

    If you really want to watch what you like then you’ll join the cause for getting shot of the elite interests that control what is put before our eyes on a daily basis from cradle to grave.

  • Scott

    Leon,
    you can’t afford a tv license but you have a computer! And you talk about the nasty party! Is that the nasty party that abolshed the 10p tax band and made the poor poorer…huh

  • http://twitter.com/cllrkrichards/status/90532468221947905 Kevin Richards

    "Do as I say not as I do" RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite #Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/sIAsrcO

  • http://twitter.com/paulrooke10/status/90545990297337856 Paul Rooke

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/F89LdoS #NI #NC #BSKYB #NOTW

  • http://twitter.com/aerospacemango/status/90546446583087104 Andy Vines

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/F89LdoS #NI #NC #BSKYB #NOTW

  • http://twitter.com/matthewhoulihan/status/90547591573544960 Matthew Houlihan

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/F89LdoS #NI #NC #BSKYB #NOTW

  • http://twitter.com/eldarat2003/status/90549184515670016 laura el darrat

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/F89LdoS #NI #NC #BSKYB #NOTW

  • http://twitter.com/a_sanguinarius/status/90549249636442113 A Sanguinarius

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/F89LdoS #NI #NC #BSKYB #NOTW

  • Leon Wolfson

    Mouse – You have evidence against Tom Baldwin?

    And yes, yes, you want the Labour party to sabotage itself. We get it. You’re overplaying your hand and sounding absurd, as usual.

  • Ed’s Talking Balls

    I found this piece rather interesting:

    http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2011/07/despite-ed-milibands-huffing-and-puffing-more-voters-trust-cameron-on-hacking.html

    It reflects my own view that Murdoch and Brooks are, obviously and quite rightly, deeply unpopular. I strongly suspect that they were before this sordid business came to light too. It shows also that going in all guns blazing and seeking to make political capital out of this is a dangerous strategy for Miliband. I would say it’s misguided, in fact. Those Guardian readers and Labour voters who have been banging the anti-Murdoch drum for years may well be impressed by his interviews (although I suspect that those looking long-term might have some misgivings), but Miliband still appears to be preaching to the converted.

    I know Blair is unpopular among many Labour members (and unlike many Tories, I don’t hold him in high esteem either, for reasons I needn’t go into here), but Miliband would do well to heed his message about giving the party broad appeal. I get the impression that he might end up being one of those leaders popular with his own party but not among the wider electorate.

  • http://twitter.com/rachellh/status/90565072564404224 Rachel Hubbard

    RT @leftfootfwd: Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax http://t.co/F89LdoS #NI #NC #BSKYB #NOTW

  • Anon E Mouse

    Leon Wolfson – The Labour Party doesn’t need me to sabotage it. By allowing the union dinosaurs to force the wrong brother on the party as leader means they’ve done it themselves. Why don’t you want the party to be electable again I would ask.

    Tom Baldwin: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/attack-on-rebekah-brooks-comes-back-to-haunt-ed-miliband-2311635.html

    What evidence do you have against Andy Coulson at present – apart from the usual Labour smears and innuendo.

    Labour suffered it’s worst election defeat since the 1920′s last year and the very polices so unpopular with the public seem to be amplified by your childish responses in this blog.

    No offence….

  • Leon Wolfson

    Mouse – The police certainly have evidence against him.

    Every offence meant, you’re simply on a crusade to paint Labour as un-electable, and you keep defaming people because you can. The very picture of the nasty party.

  • http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/the-sun-vince-cable-rupert-murdoch-tax-avoiding/ The Sun “tax avoiding” front page you won’t have seen this morning | Left Foot Forward

    [...] Hypocrite Murdoch tells us how to vote yet avoids billions in tax – Claire French, July 11th 2011 Share | Permalink | Leave a comment Comments [...]

  • http://twitter.com/l_o_t_s_i/status/129557349781352448 Wolf Heart Mohegan

    http://t.co/bkdXbfiL http://t.co/G6eIZUlc #FoxNews' #Murdoch TAX DODGER IN THE BILLIONS 10/26/11 #NewsCorp http://t.co/QIbvCzej