Anthony Barnett (London, OK): On Monday, James Macintyre and Andrew Grice in the Indie had a strong story on how the Prime Minister refuses to reveal his contacts with Murdoch. They note Gordon Brown has announced a good policy on Freedom of Information which Maurice Frankel posted about in OK. It seems he also released details of Blair's contacts with Murdoch only days after becoming Prime Minister last June. "But he is remaining coy about his own discussions with him".
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request from The Independent asked for "details of any meetings" between Mr Murdoch and the Prime Minister. Nicholas Howard, a Downing Street official, replied to say that "we do not hold any minutes of any meetings or other interactions" between the two men. It has emerged that the two men met at Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence, on the weekend of 6-7 October, when Mr Brown decided not to call a November election.
Apparently "One cabinet minister close to Mr Brown expressed private fears that he is intent on 'going the same way' as Mr Blair when it comes to his approach to Mr Murdoch".
Hat tip, Peter Oborne
