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On the left, critics have been alarmed at how the rollback of rules around broadcasting might enable the rapidly growing Sinclair Broadcast Group to push through its purchase of Tribune Group, another local media company, for $4bn.

One young man, wearing a Robin Hood hat, wandered past the Tribune Group table, but when a reporter tapped him on the shoulder he shook his head and pointed to his covered mouth.

In the video, Mr. Shaikh reiterated many of the points from Axact’s official response and accused a Times reporter of colluding with the rival Express Tribune group, which republishes The International New York Times in Pakistan.

It was in this role, as chairman of the Tribune group of Bevanite backbench MPs, that he made his mark in parliament.

After becoming an MP in 1979, he joined the leftwing Tribune Group and voted for Michael Foot as party leader.