GORDON Brown has contradicted claims, made by Rupert Murdoch, that he made a threatening phone call to the media tycoon.

The former prime minister rejected accusations he talked of "waging war" on the Murdoch empire after The Sun dumped Labour before the 2010 General Election.

Mr Brown told the Leveson Inquiry into press standards that the alleged phone call did not take place and that when the two men did speak, months later, it was to discuss Afghanistan.

He also said he never "authorised" aides to brief against Cabinet colleagues, including Tony Blair and Alistair Darling.

But News Corporation said Mr Murdoch stood by his testimony in April.