Cameron accepted free flights to meet Murdoch in Greece

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 24-Oct-08, 15:30

LONDON - Opposition leader David Cameron accepted free flights to meet with News Corporation's chief executive Rupert Murdoch on his yacht off the Greek islands this summer.

Cameron flew to Santorini in August to meet Murdoch for drinks on his 184ft yacht and later attended a dinner party with him, held by Murdoch's son-in-law and PR guru Matthew Freud, according to a report in The Independent.

The Tory leader also accepted a second free flight to Turkey -- the destination for his family holiday.

He has not revealed his talks with Murdoch, however he did disclose in the Commons register of interests that on August 16 his wife and two kids flew on a private plane from Farnborough to Istanbul and then he, his wife and two children flew on a private plane from Istanbul to Santorini and back to Dalaman.

Cameron disclosed that Freud provided the private plane. Freud is married to Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of Rupert.

A spokeswoman for Cameron told The Independent that Freud had paid for the flights, insisting Murdoch was not involved.

She said that Freud's dinner party was a "social event" and that there was "nothing unusual" about a politician meeting Murdoch.

Labour MP Denis MacShane urged Cameron to amend his entry in the register of interests to include him meeting with Murdoch.

Cameron's spokeswoman said: "Everything in connection with August 16 has been fully and properly declared."

The news follows revelations that shadow chancellor George Osborne held discussions with Russian aluminium tycoon Oleg Deripaska about a donation to the Tories.