Politics and Pyjamas
As one former newspaper editor (Andy Coulson) faces the prospect of prison over his role in the phone hacking scandal, here's a reminder of just how close the UK's senior politicians have been over the years to media moguls like Rupert Murdoch.
A 'pyjama party' at Chequers, the Prime Minister's grace and favour country retreat, now that really does take the biscuit.
Last week two prominent businessmen - Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch - turned the spotlight onto Britain's top politicians.
Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Jack McConnell and Alex Salmond all had their share of attention - the only VIP missing seemed to be poor old John Major - even though he have the distinction of winning a UK general election.
Donald Trump called into question the integrity of two of Scotland's First Ministers - Labour's Jack McConnell and the current incumbent Alex Salmond - leader of the SNP.
Meanwhile Rupert Murdoch told of his own dealings with various Prime Ministers and First Ministers many of whom - for obvious reasons - were very keen to beat a path to his door.
So much so that some of them - Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in particular - Rupert counted as his good friends.
Now I couldn't get too worked up about what Rupert and Donald had to say - I must admit.
Because it's just their opinion of people and their interpretation of events - which were always intended to remain private - and which took place years ago.
But amidst all the claims and counter claims - about who said what to whom and in what context - the one that caught my eye was the story about Gordon Brown losing the support of The Sun newspaper - during the 2009 Labour party conference.
Rupert Murdoch said that Gordon Brown rang him up soon afterwards to complain - and then 'declared war' on the Murdoch empire - in a perfectly civil but very bitter telephone conversation.
Gordon Brown went on of course to lose the 2010 general election - which finally forced his resignation as Prime Minister after three calamitous years at No. 10 Downing Street.
Now what I find very odd about this story is that Gordon Brown immediately released a statement - denying categorically that any such conversation took place.
The Fife MP didn't just dispute what was said - by claiming his old friend Rupert was spinning or exaggerating his version of events - according to Gordon Brown this conversation never took place.
Now Rupert Murdoch is many things - but I believe him when he says that he counted Gordon Brown as a friend.
After all Rupert's wife Wendi was invited to an exclusive pyjama party at the Prime Minister's country home, Chequers - by none other than Gordon's wife Sarah.
Now I've never been invited to a overnight 'slumber' party at Chequers - or anywhere else for that matter - but it does strike me as very personal, even intimate, thing to do.
Not at all the kind of behaviour you'd expect from people who were behaving professionally at all times - keeping each other at arm's length, so to speak.
Politics and Pyjamas (2 May 2012)
Last week two prominent businessmen - Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch - turned the spotlight onto Britain's top politicians.
Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Jack McConnell and Alex Salmond all had their share of attention - the only VIP missing seemed to be poor old John Major - even though he have the distinction of winning a UK general election.
Donald Trump called into question the integrity of two of Scotland's First Ministers - Labour's Jack McConnell and the current incumbent Alex Salmond - leader of the SNP.
Meanwhile Rupert Murdoch told of his own dealings with various Prime Ministers and First Ministers many of whom - for obvious reasons - were very keen to beat a path to his door.
So much so that some of them - Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in particular - Rupert counted as his good friends.
Now I couldn't get too worked up about what Rupert and Donald had to say - I must admit.
Because it's just their opinion of people and their interpretation of events - which were always intended to remain private - and which took place years ago.
But amidst all the claims and counter claims - about who said what to whom and in what context - the one that caught my eye was the story about Gordon Brown losing the support of The Sun newspaper - during the 2009 Labour party conference.
Rupert Murdoch said that Gordon Brown rang him up soon afterwards to complain - and then 'declared war' on the Murdoch empire - in a perfectly civil but very bitter telephone conversation.
Gordon Brown went on of course to lose the 2010 general election - which finally forced his resignation as Prime Minister after three calamitous years at No. 10 Downing Street.
Now what I find very odd about this story is that Gordon Brown immediately released a statement - denying categorically that any such conversation took place.
The Fife MP didn't just dispute what was said - by claiming his old friend Rupert was spinning or exaggerating his version of events - according to Gordon Brown this conversation never took place.
Now Rupert Murdoch is many things - but I believe him when he says that he counted Gordon Brown as a friend.
After all Rupert's wife Wendi was invited to an exclusive pyjama party at the Prime Minister's country home, Chequers - by none other than Gordon's wife Sarah.
Now I've never been invited to a overnight 'slumber' party at Chequers - or anywhere else for that matter - but it does strike me as very personal, even intimate, thing to do.
Not at all the kind of behaviour you'd expect from people who were behaving professionally at all times - keeping each other at arm's length, so to speak.
