Well, not quite yet... FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!
Business Secretary Vince Cable will remain Business Secretary but will not take decisions on News Corp after telling undercover reporters he had "declared war" on Rupert Murdoch's media empire.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister was clear that Mr Cable's comments were "totally unacceptable and in appropriate".
The statement said: "Following comments made by Vince Cable to the Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister has decided that he will play no further part in the decision over News Corporation's proposed takeover of BSkyB.
"In addition, all responsibility for competition and policy issues relating to media, broadcasting, digital and telecoms sectors will be transferred immediately to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
"This includes full responsibility for OFCOM's activities in these areas."
The decision puts Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt in charge of ruling on the News Corp bid.
"I deeply regret the comments I made and apologise for the embarrassment that I have caused the Government," he said in a statement.
His remarks about Mr Murdoch were not included in the paper's coverage of Mr Cable's comments last night.
The BBC claims a whistleblower passed on a copy of the transcript.
Mr Cable appears to have told undercover reporters: "I don't know if you have been following what has been happening with the Murdoch press, where I have declared war on Mr Murdoch and I think we are going to win."
He continued: "I have blocked it using the powers that I have got and they are legal powers that I have got. I can't politicise it but from the people that know what is happening this is a big, big thing.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt inherits new responsibilities
"His whole empire is now under attack... So there are things like that we do in government, that we can't do... all we can do in opposition is protest".
The comments relate to News Corp's bid to take full ownership of BSkyB, the parent company of Sky News.
As Business Secretary, Mr Cable referred the bid to Ofcom and may decide to ask the Competition Commission to examine it.
A News Corporation spokesman said: "News Corporation is shocked and dismayed by reports of Mr Cable's comments. They raise serious questions about fairness and due process."
Before Downing Street released a statement, Sky's political editor Adam Boulton said the latest development could mean Mr Cable was not seen as impartial enough to rule on the bid.
The Telegraph may also have to answer why it did not publish the quotes in its original article, as they are "clearly the most salient thing" Mr Cable said in the secretly-recorded interview, Boulton added.
Labour's shadow business secretary John Denham said: "David Cameron has decided to hang onto a lame duck Business Secretary who has no credibility.
"Vince Cable has been removed from one of the most important decisions in the department. He has revealed how the government is paralysed by infighting. And he has failed to produce a plan for growth.
"The only reason for holding onto him is to keep the sagging tent of this Tory-led government upright but at the expense of British business," Mr Denham added.
Nick Clegg said he and the PM will campaign separately in Oldham
The developments come after Nick Clegg said his Business Secretary was "right to be embarrassed" about remarks the paper did publish.
The Deputy Prime Minister told a joint news conference with David Cameron he had spoken to Mr Cable.
The Business Secretary was recorded saying he could bring down the coalition government if he chose to.
Mr Clegg described him as an "outstanding Secretary of State" who was very important to the team.
David Cameron agreed Mr Cable had been "very apologetic" when the Cabinet met on Tuesday morning.
He insisted Mr Cable's prediction that the winter fuel allowance would be scrapped by the Conservatives - one of the comments caught on tape by the Daily Telegraph -was not true.
"We made our choices in the spending review, we're very cleary about the choices we made and we are not changing them," he explained.
He added: "Personally we get on very well," but quipped that if they all agreed with each other, they would be in the same party.
David Cameron said his Government has taken vital action on the economy
Mr Cameron denied disagreements over bankers' bonuses would force Mr Cable to resign.
He said he had "lost track of the times people have said this issue was going to 'blow the coalition apart'".
At the start of the news conference, the Prime Minister said the coalition has carried out a "rescue mission" to support the economy.
Mr Cameron said it was no exaggeration to say the UK was "in the danger zone" when his Government took power in May.
He said the previous Labour government had "maxed out one credit card" and their only plan was to take out another one.
Both party leaders said they would visit Oldham East and Saddleworth to campaign in the by-election.
Mr Cameron prompted further questions when he would only say he "expected" the coalition partners would campaign separately in future elections.
He acknowledged the Tories and Lib Dems would be defending their shared record in Government and said he thought future contests would be "more polite".
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Po...och_Empire_According_To_Daily_Telegraph_Tapes
Well, that barely had time to get going! :lol:
Business Secretary Vince Cable will remain Business Secretary but will not take decisions on News Corp after telling undercover reporters he had "declared war" on Rupert Murdoch's media empire.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister was clear that Mr Cable's comments were "totally unacceptable and in appropriate".
The statement said: "Following comments made by Vince Cable to the Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister has decided that he will play no further part in the decision over News Corporation's proposed takeover of BSkyB.
"In addition, all responsibility for competition and policy issues relating to media, broadcasting, digital and telecoms sectors will be transferred immediately to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
"This includes full responsibility for OFCOM's activities in these areas."
The decision puts Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt in charge of ruling on the News Corp bid.
"I have declared war on Mr Murdoch and I think we are going to win.<cite>"
Vince Cable was secretly recorded by reporters </cite>
Mr Cable said he fully accepted the decision.Vince Cable was secretly recorded by reporters </cite>
"I deeply regret the comments I made and apologise for the embarrassment that I have caused the Government," he said in a statement.
His remarks about Mr Murdoch were not included in the paper's coverage of Mr Cable's comments last night.
The BBC claims a whistleblower passed on a copy of the transcript.
Mr Cable appears to have told undercover reporters: "I don't know if you have been following what has been happening with the Murdoch press, where I have declared war on Mr Murdoch and I think we are going to win."
He continued: "I have blocked it using the powers that I have got and they are legal powers that I have got. I can't politicise it but from the people that know what is happening this is a big, big thing.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt inherits new responsibilities
"His whole empire is now under attack... So there are things like that we do in government, that we can't do... all we can do in opposition is protest".
The comments relate to News Corp's bid to take full ownership of BSkyB, the parent company of Sky News.
As Business Secretary, Mr Cable referred the bid to Ofcom and may decide to ask the Competition Commission to examine it.
A News Corporation spokesman said: "News Corporation is shocked and dismayed by reports of Mr Cable's comments. They raise serious questions about fairness and due process."
Before Downing Street released a statement, Sky's political editor Adam Boulton said the latest development could mean Mr Cable was not seen as impartial enough to rule on the bid.
They haven't yet done the winter fuel payments, but that's coming, I think.<cite>
Vince Cable suggests David Cameron will axe the pensioners' allowance </cite>
"There would have to be questions over his future," Mr Boulton said, before adding he did not want to predict the outcome as it would be very difficult for the Government to lose such a senior figure.Vince Cable suggests David Cameron will axe the pensioners' allowance </cite>
The Telegraph may also have to answer why it did not publish the quotes in its original article, as they are "clearly the most salient thing" Mr Cable said in the secretly-recorded interview, Boulton added.
Labour's shadow business secretary John Denham said: "David Cameron has decided to hang onto a lame duck Business Secretary who has no credibility.
"Vince Cable has been removed from one of the most important decisions in the department. He has revealed how the government is paralysed by infighting. And he has failed to produce a plan for growth.
"The only reason for holding onto him is to keep the sagging tent of this Tory-led government upright but at the expense of British business," Mr Denham added.
Nick Clegg said he and the PM will campaign separately in Oldham
The developments come after Nick Clegg said his Business Secretary was "right to be embarrassed" about remarks the paper did publish.
The Deputy Prime Minister told a joint news conference with David Cameron he had spoken to Mr Cable.
The Business Secretary was recorded saying he could bring down the coalition government if he chose to.
Mr Clegg described him as an "outstanding Secretary of State" who was very important to the team.
David Cameron agreed Mr Cable had been "very apologetic" when the Cabinet met on Tuesday morning.
He insisted Mr Cable's prediction that the winter fuel allowance would be scrapped by the Conservatives - one of the comments caught on tape by the Daily Telegraph -was not true.
"We made our choices in the spending review, we're very cleary about the choices we made and we are not changing them," he explained.
He added: "Personally we get on very well," but quipped that if they all agreed with each other, they would be in the same party.
David Cameron said his Government has taken vital action on the economy
Mr Cameron denied disagreements over bankers' bonuses would force Mr Cable to resign.
He said he had "lost track of the times people have said this issue was going to 'blow the coalition apart'".
At the start of the news conference, the Prime Minister said the coalition has carried out a "rescue mission" to support the economy.
Mr Cameron said it was no exaggeration to say the UK was "in the danger zone" when his Government took power in May.
He said the previous Labour government had "maxed out one credit card" and their only plan was to take out another one.
Both party leaders said they would visit Oldham East and Saddleworth to campaign in the by-election.
Mr Cameron prompted further questions when he would only say he "expected" the coalition partners would campaign separately in future elections.
He acknowledged the Tories and Lib Dems would be defending their shared record in Government and said he thought future contests would be "more polite".
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Po...och_Empire_According_To_Daily_Telegraph_Tapes
Well, that barely had time to get going! :lol:
