Twickenham MP Vince Cable faced further embarrassment today after it was revealed he told undercover reporters he had “declared war” on media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

The Business Secretary insisted earlier today he would not quit after the Daily Telegraph reported that he claimed he could “bring the Government down”.

However, the BBC said this afternoon it had obtained edited extracts of his recorded conversation with reporters - posing as constituents - at his Twickenham office.

Dr Cable reportedly said: "I am picking my fights, some of which you may have seen, some of which you may haven't seen.

"And I don't know if you have been following what has been happening with the Murdoch press, where I have declared war on Mr Murdoch and I think we are going to win.”

The Business Secretary was said to have referred to Mr Murdoch’s £7.5bn takeover bid by his media conglomerate News Corporation for 61 per cent of British Sky Broadcasting.

He reportedly said during the interview with the undercover reporters: "I have blocked it using the powers that I have got and they are legal powers that I have got. I can't politicise it but from the people that know what is happening this is a big, big thing.

"His whole empire is now under attack.”

Speaking about the earlier revelations, Dr Cable said he was “embarrassed” and he regretted making the comments.

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