Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch on Wednesday paid tribute to former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, crediting her with giving him the strength to face down print unions in the 1980s. Writing in the Times, one of his News International titles, Murdoch called Thatcher, who died on Monday aged 87, "the woman who gave us back our backbone" and "undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the 20th century. "I found her attitude an inspiration in my business life - and never more so than when faced with the recalcitrance of the print unions in the 1980s," he wrote.

By Andrew Osborn LONDON, March 8 (Reuters) - Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has held a dinner meeting with Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-European Union UK Independence Party, prompting critics to accuse him of using his clout to interfere in Britain's debate about the European Union. Prime Minister David Cameron promised to try to renegotiate Britain's membership of the EU and to hold a referendum on staying in or leaving by the end of 2017, a pledge which fueled public debate between supporters and opponents.