Murdoch, The Standard and the conspiracy theories behind the Russian takeover

MediaGuardian commentator Roy Greenslade takes a sceptical look today at the conspiracy theories surrounding the sale of a majority stake in the Evening Standard to former KBG agent Alexander Lebedev.
Private Eye, among others, sees the hand of Rupert Murdoch and his son-in-law Matthew Freud behind the deal.
As Roy puts it: "Freud is frequently portrayed as a Rasputin-like figure by his enemies and Murdoch, of course, is routinely regarded as the devil incarnate. So I always suspend judgment on speculative stories about their activities."
He asks: "Are we seriously to believe that an ex-KGB officer who has built a vast personal fortune - amounting, supposedly, to £2bn - and who has negotiated his way through the quagmire of Russia's modern mafia politics is no more than a Murdoch patsy?"
Roy accepts: "It is true that Murdoch's company is likely to be the beneficiary of all that has happened. I understand that there were many chuckles of delight at Wapping when news first emerged of the Lebedev negotiations. And I concede that Rupert's son, James, seemed remarkably well informed about the bid hours before MediaGuardian broke the story on January 8."
He adds, however, "But there is a difference between having an inside track and actually running the train. I think too many of the conspiracists have started by accepting that Murdoch is the real winner and then composing scenarios to accuse him of a devious plot. Freud's undoubted involvement in Lebedev's affairs provides the essential link."
Roy argues bigger forces are at work: "The gloves are off. All the owners now know they are engaged in a battle to be the last one standing when the music stops. Papers will go to the wall. They will change hands.
"If a publisher like DMGT can be humbled, then imagine what might happen to lesser owners with fewer resources and much less commitment. This is not a conspiracy theory. This is fact. This is the real story."

Murdoch the winner if Russian gets Evening Standard says Private Eye

Private Eye's take on Alexander Lebedev taking over the Evening Standard is that the real winner would be Rupert Murdoch, who sparked the fierce free newspaper war in the capital by launching thelondonpaper.
The latest issue of the Eye says "...the man with the most potential cause for rejoicing is Rupert Murdoch. Associated Newspapers, in the London freebies war, committed the same mistake Conrad Black made when he dragged the Telegraph into a price war with The Times: they thought they could outspend him. By forcing Rothermere to consider the sale of the Standard ... the News Corps boss has once again demonstrated that no one but no one, has deeper pockets than the Digger."
Richard Addis also closely examines how Murdoch would benefit from the deal on his Shake Up Media blog.