 The losses at the Times eventually led to the decision of the Thomson family to sell both titles to News International of which Brunton acted as the chief negotiator for Thomson.Rupert Murdoch was identified as the only viable buyer for the Times and Sunday Times, as he provided assurances that both newspaper titles would remain in single ownership and in circulation.Other bidders were only interested in the profitable Sunday Times and would have shut down the Times newspaper.Brunton was adamant this could not be allowed happen and Thomson decided in 1981 to sell to News International.