The Kinnock lightbulb front page Rupert is so proud of: www.thesun.co.uk

Jay asks if it's fair to say that Murdoch always back the winning side. No, he says, but can't think of a time when he didn't (in the UK).

Murdoch: "I love newspapers. Shareholders would like me to get rid of them all."

Jay turns his attention to Tony Blair. Murdoch says he doesn't remember a dinner at a private dining club with Blair, and doesn't even know where the restaurant is.

Murdoch also says it wasn't obvious to him that Blair would go on to win the 1997 election because "A lot can happen in three years."

Murdoch says he DOES remember saying to Blair: "If our flirtation is ever consumated Tony, I suspect we will end up making love like porcupines, very very carefully."

Latest key quotes from Murdoch at Leveson, including "I've never asked a prime minister for anything", here: reut.rs #hacking

The hearing stops for a 5 minute break

The witness statement of Keith Rupert Murdoch to the Leveson Inquiry is now available online - just follow this link to have a read www.levesoninquiry.org.uk

Murdoch says he regrets the breakdown of the relationship with Gordon Brown and hopes it can be repaired.

Murdoch says it's not true that Gordon Brown 'roared' down the phone at him following this decision to support a change of government in 2009, but he did say "Your company has declared war on my government and we have no choice but to declare war on your company."

Murdoch then goes on to say that Brown misled the Commons by claiming The Sun hacked into his medical records when in reality he knew how the newspaper got hold of the story.

This may go into tomorrow, folks. Lead counsel Jay says he would prefer to go for another 45 minutes this afternoon and resume tomorrow morning rather than try to squeeze it all in today.

Before we get started again, here's a summary of this morning's session from Reuters' Kate Holton and Georgina Prodhan.

Rupert Murdoch rejected accusations on Wednesday that he used his vast media empire to play puppet master to a succession of British leaders, electrifying a media inquiry that has shaken faith in Prime Minister David Cameron's government.

Murdoch was immediately asked about his relationship to politics and British "toffs", a reference to his regular attacks on Britain's gilded establishment, which the Australian-born tycoon has lampooned as snobbish and inefficient.

He said he was keen to put straight some myths about him.

"I have never asked a prime minister for anything," Murdoch said with steely calm when asked about his links to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, one of his favourite British leaders.

"Politicians, let's be clear, always seek the support of all newspapers. I think that is part of democracy. It is only natural."

Murdoch appeared calm and laconic, even provoking chuckles from some of the 70 lawyers, family members and journalists packed into the Victorian gothic courtroom when he cracked a joke about the destruction of unions and a disgraced former British minister who lied in court.

As the questioning went on he started to appear agitated. Perhaps aware that Murdoch's family like the 81-year-old to have a nap in the afternoon, judge Leveson said the session would likely end early on Wednesday and resume on Thursday.

The Australian-born Murdoch started the keenly anticipated hearing by saying he wanted to put some myths straight.

The man who has for years portrayed himself as an underdog in a British society held back by its establishment ties, said he had simply tried to shine a light on the country on the behalf of the working classes.

"I think that it is fair when people hold themselves up as iconic figures, or great actors, that they be looked at," he said. "I don't think they are entitled to the same privacy as the ordinary man on the street."

But the man who has instilled fear in politicians from all parties for decades admitted that his opinion had been carried by his Sun newspaper, one of his favourites, for years. "I'm not good at holding my tongue," he said. "If you want to judge my thinking, look at the Sun."

Here we go again. Asked what he thinks of the PM, Murdoch says his first impression of Cameron was that he is a "family man."

Murdoch: "I want to put it to bed once and for all, that is a complete myth that I used the influence of the Sun or supposed political power to get favourable treatment."

Murdoch says he often used the rear entrance to 10 Downing Street because the government didn't want him photographed coming in the front door, or because he didn't want to be photographed coming in the front door, and also because it is near his apartment.

Turning now to the Scottish election, Jay asks if Murdoch played a part in the Scottish Sun's decision to support for the SNP. "Probably", says Murdoch.

Murdoch says he met Alex Salmond a few times and found him "an attractive person."

Murdoch senior will be back tomorrow morning at 10am.

Explaining his decision to close the hearing early, Leveson said it was "his decision" and that it was important the inquiry is carried out without everyone getting too tired. Don't forget, Rupert Murdoch is 81-years-old.

Rupert has left the building, closely followed by a gaggle of photographers. We're going to close our live coverage page now, but we'll be back tomorrow morning to take you through the final session of jousting between Leveson and his team of prosecutors and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The hearing starts at 10am BST.

Before I go, here's the latest round up of today's events by Reuters correspondents Kate Holton and Georgina Prodhan.