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Campbell diaries: Murdoch 'called Blair over Iraq' Campbell diaries: Murdoch 'called Blair over Iraq'
(about 6 hours later)
Rupert Murdoch called Tony Blair urging him not to delay the invasion of Iraq, former Number 10 communications chief Alastair Campbell has said.Rupert Murdoch called Tony Blair urging him not to delay the invasion of Iraq, former Number 10 communications chief Alastair Campbell has said.
The claim is made in the latest part of Mr Campbell's diaries, which are being serialised in the Guardian newspaper.The claim is made in the latest part of Mr Campbell's diaries, which are being serialised in the Guardian newspaper.
Mr Campbell said there were three calls in March 2003, a week before a crucial vote on Iraq in the House of Commons.Mr Campbell said there were three calls in March 2003, a week before a crucial vote on Iraq in the House of Commons.
There has been no response to the claims from Mr Murdoch's company, News Corporation, or Mr Blair's office. Mr Murdoch's company, News Corporation, said claims he lobbied Mr Blair were "complete rubbish" and unsubstantiated.
The media boss previously told the Leveson inquiry he "never asked a prime minister for anything".
There has been no response to the claims from Mr Blair's office.
'Over-crude diplomacy''Over-crude diplomacy'
According to Mr Campbell's book, The Burden of Power: Countdown to Iraq, Mr Murdoch's moves were made to support Republicans in Washington.According to Mr Campbell's book, The Burden of Power: Countdown to Iraq, Mr Murdoch's moves were made to support Republicans in Washington.
The ex-Downing Street director of communications said the interventions from Mr Murdoch came "out of the blue".The ex-Downing Street director of communications said the interventions from Mr Murdoch came "out of the blue".
In one call Mr Murdoch was said to have tried to pressure the then Prime Minister Mr Blair to accelerate UK military involvement in Iraq.In one call Mr Murdoch was said to have tried to pressure the then Prime Minister Mr Blair to accelerate UK military involvement in Iraq.
On 11 March 2003, Mr Campbell wrote that Mr Blair "took a call from Murdoch who was pressing on timings, saying how News International would support us, etc".On 11 March 2003, Mr Campbell wrote that Mr Blair "took a call from Murdoch who was pressing on timings, saying how News International would support us, etc".
Mr Campbell continued: "Both TB [Tony Blair] and I felt it was prompted by Washington, and another example of their over-crude diplomacy. Murdoch was pushing all the Republican buttons, how the longer we waited the harder it got."Mr Campbell continued: "Both TB [Tony Blair] and I felt it was prompted by Washington, and another example of their over-crude diplomacy. Murdoch was pushing all the Republican buttons, how the longer we waited the harder it got."
The following day he added: "TB felt the Murdoch call was odd, not very clever."The following day he added: "TB felt the Murdoch call was odd, not very clever."
Withdraw support 'Complete rubbish'
Mr Murdoch has previously told the Leveson Inquiry into press standards that he had "never asked a prime minister for anything". The claims were dismissed by News Corporation.
But earlier this week Sir John Major said at the inquiry that Mr Murdoch had pressed him on policy when he was prime minister in the mid 1990s. In a statement, it said: "It is complete rubbish to suggest that Rupert Murdoch lobbied Mr Blair over the Iraq war on behalf of the US Republicans.
"Furthermore, there isn't even any evidence in Alastair Campbell's diaries to support such a ridiculous claim."
The company is understoood to be stressing Mr Murdoch has never denied stating his opinion on policies to politicians, and that he made this clear in a written statement to Lord Leveson, whose inquiry has examined the relationship between the press and those in power.
After Mr Murdoch told the inquiry he never asked a prime minister for anything, former PM Sir John Major this week told Lord Leveson Mr Murdoch had pressed him on policy when he was prime minister in the mid 1990s.
Sir John said the media magnate asked him to change the Conservatives' stance on Europe otherwise his papers would withdraw their support.Sir John said the media magnate asked him to change the Conservatives' stance on Europe otherwise his papers would withdraw their support.
Sir John recalled the exchange from a private meeting in 1997, which he said he had not spoken about before.Sir John recalled the exchange from a private meeting in 1997, which he said he had not spoken about before.
Later that year his Conservative party lost power to Labour with the Sun backing his rival Mr Blair.Later that year his Conservative party lost power to Labour with the Sun backing his rival Mr Blair.