There is no denying that Sky News is gleefully giving Andy Gray a savage kicking far beyond his crime and unpopularity in the empire. Is it a coincidence that Rupert Murdoch is in town and Gray had commenced legal action against the News of the World? Being hung out to dry is an understatement.

It’s no coincidence either that Ian Edmondson was sacked earlier today, Rupert has cancelled his appearances in Davos and is in town to clear the decks. Given the sensitivity of BSkyB’s relationship with Downing Street right now it will be interesting to see if Murdoch gets his meeting in No. 10 with the Prime Minister, as he usually does when he visits the UK. Murdoch isn’t sitting twiddling his thumbs waiting for an invitation though. This morning Guido understands he was at the Times’ editorial meeting and some are wondering if it might not suit Murdoch to have The Times rather than the Guardian blow the lid off the whole Screws scandal with an expose. It would certainly be a controlled explosion and allow them to turn on their rivals at the Mirror Group and Associated Newspapers…