MacKenzie: 'it was Murdoch's idea'

Last Modified: 13 Jun 2008
By: Samira Ahmed

Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie says Rupert Murdoch egged him on to stand against David Davis.

Asked today on Channel 4 News at Noon if he had spoken to Rupert Murdoch about his declaration that he would stand in the forthcoming by-election forced by David Davis's decision to resign, the former editor of The Sun, Kelvin McKenzie said:

"Yes I have spoken to him [Rupert Murdoch]. In fact, in the end it was more his idea than it was mine.

"I happened to meet him at a function last night and he said this guy shouldn't just stand alone, and The Sun should get out there."

He added: "Rupert is a passionate supporter of his products. The Sun is an important newspaper in this country and he thought it would be a good idea to have some kind of competition".