The proposed takeover of The Telegraph by Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI is facing increased scrutiny and potential delays. A Tory MP has raised concerns, and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is expected to trigger a delay on the UAE-backed bid. The scrutiny has intensified after RedBird IMI submitted a new company structure a week before Ofcom and the CMA were set to report on the original proposal. Rishi Sunak has been urged to strengthen the investigation to prevent undue influence from Abu Dhabi. Press freedom fears have been vocalized, with Andrew Neil, Chair of the Spectator, criticizing the idea of government ownership of newspapers on BBC Newsnight and threatening to resign if the takeover goes through, due to concerns over maintaining editorial independence.
Transcript: Andrew Neil on UAE takeover of the Spectator and Telegraph https://t.co/XPA3D42yj7
Andrew Neil vows to quit if Telegraph takeover goes ahead https://t.co/GmrxghSN2c
🔵 Andrew Neil vows to quit if Telegraph takeover goes ahead https://t.co/pPb3mFH0DG
UAE-backed fund's planned Telegraph takeover raises press freedom fears, @JackvDutton https://t.co/1FI1TNwW2F
Andrew Neil (Chair of the Spectator) tells Newsnight he would resign if UAE backed Redbird IMI bid is successful in its bid to buy the Telegraph and Spectator. Says government has been “all over the place” during the process.
Neil says he will quit if the takeover is successful “I don’t believe that our editorial independence could be guaranteed” #Newsnight https://t.co/Y8h3g1iYp2
🚨Andrew Neil comes out against RedBird IMI. Tells @BBCNewsnight that “the idea that governments should own newspapers and magazines absurd” and adds that the UAE is a dictatorship Says this is “particularly important for the Spectator”
UAE-backed fund's planned Telegraph takeover raises press freedom fears, @JackvDutton reports https://t.co/oPxY3TUDVA
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer set to trigger delay on UAE-backed bid to buy The Telegraph https://t.co/b0Kz3GhbKm https://t.co/QFstelOPK0
📰 Telegraph takeover: Sunak ‘must strengthen investigation’ to stop Abu Dhabi exerting influence https://t.co/Zs0iBgSZK0
Telegraph takeover: Rishi Sunak must strengthen investigation to stop RedBird IMI exerting influence https://t.co/r7l5JmwPbX
New: scrutiny of Telegraph takeover by Abu Dhabi-backed company likely to re-start after Redbird IMI submitted new proposed company structure last Friday, a week before Ofcom/CMA were due to report on original proposal https://t.co/6Srx6VkVOm
Tory MP raises fresh questions over Abu Dhabi-backed Telegraph deal Read more 🔗 https://t.co/ypQIyGyMDM