The government will publish details of ministerial meetings with News Corp executives, seeking to dispel claims that the company was wielding undue influence when the government was deciding on its $12 billion (7 billion pound) bid for full control of pay TV company BSkyB.

“When it comes to my meetings with the proprietors and editors of all newspapers, we are very shortly going to publish the details of my meetings and the meetings of other members of the government,” Osborne added. Cameron has already given details of his own such meetings.