The latest round of the back biting between the Independent Group and Denis O'Brien continues today.

The Indo leads with the shocking news that last September when Liz O'Donnell became Deputy Leader of the PD's she resigned her position on the board of Communicorp - ultimate parent of 98FM, Newstalk and Spin 103.8.

Smyth summarises that the real reason she resigned was because of the latest goings on at the Moriarty Tribunal, and not as a result of her appointment as the Deputy Leader of a political party that just happens to be in Government.

Smyth also highlights that the Tribunal is currently investigating the purchase by Mr O'Brien of Doncaster Rovers and whether or not Michael Lowry was involved. He argues that if a link is proven it could parcipitate "the biggest political and business scandal in the history of the state".

However, Smyth fails to mention the following:

*The Doncaster deal was struck 3 years after the awarding of the moblie licence.
*The Tribunal has already investigated the actual process of the awarding of the licence. Civil servants have given sworn testimony that they believe that the process was sound.
*No civil servant has claimed otherwise
*Tony O'Reilly was a failed applicant for the mobile licence. If there were malpractice to be found it would be likely that O'Reilly would take potential action against the state. And of course O'Reilly owns the Independent.
*Denis O'Brien now owns more than 3% of Independent News and Media and this has pi*sed of the O'Reillys.


Now if the London Times were writing an article about News Corp, they always state clearly the relationship between the paper and its parent. Why not the Indo? In fact come to think of it, O'Reilly makes Murdoch look like a saint when it comes abusing his position as a media owner.