Murdoch drops BSkyB bid amid public, political pressure

July 13, 2011

, owned by, has made the decision to abandon a deal to take full control of broadcasting company. The decision came amidst pressure from the British public and politicians, as British parliamentarians from the government and opposition parties prepared to vote in the in London to urge Murdoch to drop the deal.

The Murdoch move followed a series of damaging revelations about by journalists at the , which published its last edition on July 10. leader said the decision was "a victory for people up and down this country who have been appalled by the revelations of the phone hacking scandal and the failure of News International to take responsibility".

, the president of News Corporation, said it would be "too difficult to progress in this climate." The corporation "remains a committed long-term shareholder in BSkyB," Carey said in a statement. "We are proud of the success it has achieved and our contribution to it."

Politicians from around the political spectrum have expressed their disapproval on Murdoch over the allegations of phone hacking and praised his decision to drop the deal, with, the deputy prime minister, saying the decision was "decent and sensible"; while , a senior Labour shadow minister, called the decision "a victory for the public of this country."