Calls For MMC Investigation Of The Times Rejected By DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has said that it will not act on Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown’s request that The Times newspaper be investigated by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) (subscribers see Ashdown Asks For Inquiry Into Times Ownership).

Ashdown was concerned that the ownership of The Times by Rupert Murdoch was compromising the paper’s editorial independence. He, and others, have argued that Times coverage of events in China have been restricted by Murdoch’s business expansion plans there.

In a letter from Margaret Beckett to Paddy Ashdown, the industry secretary said that it was a matter for the editors of The Times and not for the Government. Consequently, the issue will not be passed on to the MMC for investigation.

Department of Trade and Industry: 0171 215 5971