Alastair Campbell: No deal with Murdoch before 1997 election

There was no "express deal" between Labour leader Tony Blair and Rupert Murdoch in the run-up to the 1997 election, Alastair Campbell has said.

Mr Blair's former press secretary was asked at the Leveson Inquiry about the backing of Labour in 1997 by Mr Murdoch's Sun newspaper.

Asked if there was evidence of a deal, Mr Campbell said: "Absolutely not."

He said he and Mr Blair sometimes felt "distaste" when dealing with News Corporation chairman Mr Murdoch.

Nicholas Witchell reports.