'Times’ transfer illegal, says former editor

Press, 15 February 1982, Page 6

'Times’ transfer illegal, says former editor

NZPA ■■ : London Sir William Rees-Mogg. former editor of "The Times." alleged at the weekend that Rupert Murdochstransfer of the titles of “The Times." and the SundayTimes to his company. News International was not legal.- . He has written to -the;’ Trade Secretary (Mr John Biffen) saying that the' transfer breached agreements made to safeguard the editorial independence of./ both newspapers when MrMurdoch bought them last'; year.

“These agreements were an essential condition of the sale but they were also relied on in the application for your consent to the purchase.” he told Mr Biffen.

"Among other things, they provided for independent national directors and that the titles should not be trans-

ferred without the consent of the independent national directors. “I now read that Mr Murdoch purports to have made a private transfer of the titles to another of his companies without seeking, or obtaining the consent of the independent national directors of Times. Newspapers or even informing them. “My judgement is that this is clearly a breach of the agreement made at the time of the sale and more importantly of the conditions attached for your approval. “The matter is of great urgency as Mr Murdoch is threatening the closure of the newspapers if certain staff reductions are not agreed by the end of the coming week.

“The transfer of titles, if lawful—which I believe it is not—would obviously facilitate such a closure."

Sir William called on Mr F Biffen to enforce the condi- j tions made when the newspapers changed ownership. s But yesterday Arthur Brit- " tenden. spokesman for News International said there was no need to consult the inde- >. pendent directors about the * switch in title ownership. The decision was made by . the board of Times News- *. papers, Ltd. and then the independent directors were - told “as a courtesy,” he said. " “Our legal advice was that ;; it was not a matter for the independent directors," he said.

Earlier yesterday Mr Murdoch said the ownership ” transfer would not affect the Cindependence of the two newspapers.

“The transfer was done to protect the titles," he said.