London, Dec 10(ANI): UK Prime Minister David Cameron has admitted for the first time that he met News International Chief Rupert Murdoch in July 2010 after he launched his 7.8 billion pound bid to secure full control of the satellite broadcaster BSkyB.
The revelation came after the UK Government agreed to release a slew of information as part of its measure to ensure greater transparency.
The July meeting between both individuals is significant since Murdoch had begun bidding for BSkyB on 14 June 2010.
Cameron has repeatedly denied intervention in the bid, which was withdrawn in July 2011 after the News of the World phone hacking scandal came to light.
Downing Street had earlier admitted only that both had met last in May 2010.
Labour parliamentarians criticised the UK Government for releasing the information on December 9 amid the EU crisis.
UK Labour Party politician Tom Watson, who led the campaign to expose hacking, accused Downing Street of "sneaking out" details of a secret meeting with Murdoch.
"This is absolutely outrageous. It is a clear abuse of power and the Government is throwing out its trash on a Friday evening during the biggest political crisis in Europe for a generation," The Telegraph quoted him, as saying.
The documents also revealed that the number of special advisers to UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has risen from five to 13 since July, and that annual salary bill for this team has more than doubled to 860,000 pounds.
It was also revealed that Cameron accepted included silver jewellery and a first edition book from US President Barack Obama and a pen set and glassware from French President Nicolas Sarkozy. (ANI)
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