You can’t separate sheikh from state, say MPs in Telegraph row
A complete ban on overseas state possession of the media may very well be thought of following a call over the takeover of the Telegraph, the media minister has urged.
MPs warned a potential sale of the newspaper to an Abu Dhabi-backed group would depart the UK susceptible as you ‘cannot separate sheikh from state’.
They voiced fears that the newspaper and The Spectator journal, additionally owned by Telegraph Media, would develop into a ‘PR arm’ for the Gulf state.
Alicia Kearns, the Tory MP who chairs the overseas affairs choose committee, tabled an pressing query on the deal yesterday which prompted a debate.
She instructed the Commons: ‘The concern right here isn’t overseas possession, it’s overseas state possession. You can’t separate sheikh and state.
MPs warned a potential sale of the newspaper to an Abu Dhabi-backed group would depart the UK susceptible as you ‘cannot separate sheikh from state’
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is overseeing a probe into the proposal by RedBird IMI, which is 75 per cent funded by the UAE, to purchase the 2 titles
‘This is one thing that may make us susceptible not for 5 years, not for ten years, however for the remainder of our lives.’
Responding to their issues, Julia Lopez, the media minister, mentioned she was ‘involved about authorities possession of any media establishment’. She additionally urged a complete ban on overseas state possession of the Press.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is overseeing a probe into the proposal by RedBird IMI, which is 75 per cent funded by the UAE, to purchase the 2 titles.
The Government is contemplating whether or not to dam the takeover and a remaining choice may nonetheless be weeks away.
SNP MP John Nicolson yesterday added: ‘I’m not in favour of a newspaper being owned as a loss-making PR arm of a overseas state by entry to our every day information cycle.’
An investigation into the sale by Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been prolonged and can report by March 11.
