Coalition descends into Farce: Jeremy Hunt not the right person to judge on BSkyB and Murdochs as Vince Cable is stripped of powers

The Coalition is rapidly descending into Farce as Jeremy Hunt takes over from Vince Cable in deciding the fate of Rupert Murdoch’s latest plans to expand his empire.

Vince was foolish to be so indiscreet with the two young women from the Torygraph who posed as his constituents, whilst recording his comments about having “declared war on Mr Murdoch” and suggesting “I think we’re going to win”! Vince was naïve and wrong to make such comments to two complete strangers, even if they hadn’t been part of a Torygraph entrapment exercise.

BUT to then put Jeremy Hunt, of all people, in charge of the decision on the Murdoch’s bid to take full control of BSkyB is inept and demonstrates the extent of the Tory domination of the Coalition. Hunt has a LONG track record of attacking the BBC and peddling the same line as Rupert and James Murdoch on a range of media issues. I have Blogged extensively about this here and here and here for example.

Hunt’s position on Media Competition and News International

During the run up to the General Election I wrote to Hunt to ask him serious questions concerning his impartiality should he be elected and then become Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which, sadly for me, is precisely what happened. Here’s the letter I sent him.

In his reply to me he made no mention of the Murdochs or News International but commenting about the Tory plans to cut back the powers of Ofcom he wrote ‘we have made it clear that competition issues must remain at arms length’.

With Hunt’s public comments on how relaxed he is about Murdoch expanding his empire it’s hard to see how Hunt can be impartial in his new quasi-judicial role in respect of the Murdochs’ bid to take full control of BSkyB. Take this comment for example in a Broadcast magazine interview: “Rather than worry about Rupert Murdoch owning another TV channel, what we should recognise is that he has probably done more to create variety and choice in British TV than any other single person”.

The Farce of Hunt ruling on the Fox Empire

After Cameron stripped Vince Cable of his powers in the BSkyB matter, he transferred the role to Jeremy Hunt, with Nick Clegg’s agreement! Now Mr Hunt will be in the quasi-judicial role of considering the Murdochs’ plans to take full control of BSkyB and thus further increase their power over UK media interests.

Hunt is due to receive a report from Ofcom, the media regulator, on the impact on plurality of the bid by the end of the year. After that he has to decide whether to refer the deal to the Competition Commission.

It will be Hunt’s role to decide whether or not to ask for an investigation by the Competition Commission.

If he decides NOT to ask for such an investigation he will have given the green light to the Murdochs to expand their empire significantly with all that implies for political balance in TV coverage in our Country.

Even if he DOES ask for an investigation by the Competition Commission, it would ultimately be his decision whether the deal should be permitted, once he has received the advice of the Competition Commission.

So much for Jeremy Hunt’s promise to me that ‘competition issues must remain at arms length’!

So much for the political judgement of Nick Clegg in going along with this farce!

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