Analysis: How Murdoch Fared At Media Inquiry

At times the evidence from Rupert Murdoch - who has seen numerous politicians come and go - seemed more like a history lesson.

During several hours of questioning, he was grilled over his relationship with Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

Did Mr Murdoch influence policy-making at the very highest level?

The 81-year-old was insistent that he has "never asked for anything" from any of the UK's Prime Ministers.

But the Leveson Inquiry's QC Robert Jay argued the relationship is much more subtle than that, drilling him forensically on how his newspapers came to back Labour ahead of the 1997 election.

Mr Murdoch tussled with Tony Blair about the Euro for more than 10 years, for instance.

And was he encouraged to switch his newspaper's loyalty because Labour's 1997 manifesto did not include any legislation on media ownership?

But - as with all lobbying - it is very difficult to prove a conversation or meeting has directly influenced policy.

Mr Murdoch's attitude was summed up when he said: "I go to election every day.

"People can stop buying my newspapers any time. They often do, I'm afraid.

"It's only natural for politicians to reach out to editors and sometimes proprietors to explain what they are doing."

Mr Murdoch's intense loyalty to The Sun newspaper was also striking.

Dismissing The Times, he said simply: "If you want to judge my thinking, look at The Sun."

This perhaps helps to explain why, while he was prepared to shut the News Of The World, he has consistently backed the daily tabloid.

While Rupert Murdoch portrayed himself as a newspaper man at heart, he admitted he is under pressure from shareholders who "would like me to get rid of them all".

Mr Murdoch made his admiration for Margaret Thatcher clear and denied trading favours with Tony Blair, but it was his evidence on Gordon Brown that was most compelling.

Clearly there is unfinished business between the two - and a sense of betrayal on both sides.

The relationship appeared to break down after Mr Murdoch called Mr Brown to tell him The Sun newspaper was switching its allegiance to the Conservative party ahead of the 2010 election.

He said "no voices were raised" but Gordon Brown was "not in a balanced state of mind".

According to Mr Murdoch, Gordon Brown then said: "Your company has declared war on my Government and we have no alternative to make war on your company."

Later Mr Murdoch referred to a "totally outrageous" claim by Mr Brown that The Sun newspaper had hacked into his personal medical records in order to run a story about his son's condition.

In fact The Sun was told the information by a father in the same hospital and Rebekah Brooks took personal control of the story, he said.

Mrs Brooks called Sarah Brown before publication and Mr Brown wrote a personal letter to her thanking her for the way she handled the story, according to Mr Murdoch.