Fading Rupert Murdoch aura puts BSkyB bid in doubt

Rupert Murdoch's attempt to takeover satellite channel 'BSkyB' was today in doubt amid pressure on him to shelve his bid, as everyone tried to distance itself from the media baron who, until a week ago, wielded much influence over British politics.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, whose party, the Liberal Democrats, have consistently criticised the power and influence of Murdoch's media empire, today met the family of murdered teenager Milly Dowler, whose phone was hacked at the behest of the News of the World.

Clegg said: "Rupert Murdoch is now in town in London seeking to sort things out. I would simply say to him, 'look how people feel about this, look how the country has reacted with revulsion to the revelations'. Do the decent and sensible thing, and reconsider, think again, about your bid for BSkyB."

There have been other signs that the Murdoch aura may be over in British politics. Murdoch's mass circulation tabloid openly supported Labour before elections until the 2010 election, when he switched sides in favour of the Conservative party.

Prime Minister David Cameron admitted the relationship between politicians and newspaper owners, including Murdoch, had been "too cosy" in the past, and promised that this will now stop.

Labour leader Ed Mliband, whose party prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were second to none in courting Murdoch, often travelling to Australia to meet him, also indicated a break from the past by promising to oppose illegal and unethical news-gathering practices of newspapers.