'Best man will win' BSkyB top job

RUPERT Murdoch waded into the row over the possibility of his son James heading BSkyB, assuring shareholders today that the best candidate would get the job.

Murdoch, executive chairman at News Corporation, BSkyB's largest shareholder, has been criticised by BSkyB investors who fear the selection process for the job of chief executive at the satellite broadcaster will amount to little more than disguised nepotism.

The media mogul today defended the process to replace outgoing BSkyB chief Tony Ball, saying: 'It has nothing to do with anyone's shareholding. I am confident the best candidate will be appointed.'

His comments echo those earlier this week from News Corporation president Peter Chernin, who explicitly lent his support to James's ambitions for the BSkyB job.

James, 30, Murdoch's youngest son, is already a non-executive on the BSkyB board, but currently heads the corporation's Asian satellite broadcaster Star.

Murdoch, flanked at today's meeting by his elder son Lachlan, was full of praise for both his sons.

'James has just turned around the single most difficult situation we had at the whole company,' Murdoch said - referring to an advertising turnaround at Star.

'They are showing great promise. Lachlan, here on my left, is supervising companies which provided 60% of last year's huge operating profit.'

Murdoch, 72, asked about his own retirement plans, said: 'I will be carried out.'