Murdoch hits back in ‘ family first’ row

RUPERT Murdoch hit out at claims that his media empire puts family interests first, showing he has not been cowed by last week’s humiliating shareholder revolt at BSkyB.

The 74-year- old media tycoon dismissed as ‘ bull’ criticisms that News Corp. has a ‘family-first policy’.

He told the Wall Street Journal: ‘My family’s never taken anything out of this company. Until the last two years I’ve taken a very low salary myself.’

Murdoch’s News Corp owns 37pc of UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB, where his son James is chief executive.

At last Friday’s annual meeting, 49pc of voters failed to back a proposal to allow News Corp to raise its 37pc stake in BSkyB without launching a full bid amid fears over its ‘creeping control’.

Murdoch admits recommending James for the job, but insists he was better than rival candidates.

Despite concerns that he is intent on building a familycontrolled dynasty, Murdoch insists there will be no nepotism when his eventual successor at News Corp is chosen.

He declared: ‘The next head of this company is going to be chosen by the independent directors, I guarantee you.’

He brushed aside suggestions that John Malone, who owns 18pc of News Corp, is angling for control, but admitted that ‘ he’d like to have enough [ownership] to push me around’.