Calls for NewsCorp's BSkyB takeover bid to be blocked

Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott has called for the takeover bid from NewsCorp to take full control of BSkyB to be halted after the latest phone hacking allegations.

The Guardian has revealed details claiming that News Of The World hired a private investigator to hack into the phone of Milly Dowler at the time of the her disappearance. The Guardian claims that the investigator hacked into the voicemail and deleted some of the messages, promoting the police to believe that the missing school girl may have been alive. Milly was abducted and murdered by Levi Bellfield in 2002, who last month was convicted of her murder last month.

The revelations have prompted Lord Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister to announce that the proposed takeover bid by NewsCorp for BSkyB should be halted in light of the news. He has stated that he will be writing to Culture and Media Secretary Jeremy Hunt “demanding” that he blocks the bid.

Jeremy Hunt announced last week that he had given the proposals clearance after NewsCorp made concessions regarding the control of Sky News. This has currently been put out for further consultations and any interested persons have until midday this Friday to make any submissions to Jeremy Hunt.