Rupert Murdoch’s last move? The Spectator is in his sights

Rupert Murdoch’s ownership of the Times means he would struggle to get the purchase of the Telegraph approved by the government but there are few barriers to stop his purchase of the Spectator. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Rupert Murdoch may have officially stood aside as chair of his media businesses but he’s still eyeing up what could be his last major UK deal: the purchase of the Spectator magazine.

The rightwing magazine, which is due to be auctioned off next month, is said to be a favourite of the billionaire, who used his resignation statement to claim much of the media is “in cahoots” with elites who have “open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class”.