Sky takeover bid a ‘test’ of Brexit pledge

JAMESMurdochhaswarnedthe Government that 21st Century Fox’s £11.7bn takeover bid for Sky is a test that Brexit Britain is “truly open for business”.

The Fox chief executive’s intervention will be interpreted as a direct challenge to Theresa May’s administration, which previously saidthat,despiteleavingtheEU, the UK was open for business.

“There is a huge opportunity for companies and countries willing to act decisively and capitalise on the economic and social benefits that this industry can create,” Mr Murdoch said.

“If the UK truly is open for business post-Brexit, we look forward to moving through the regulatory review process and this transformative transaction for the UK creative sector becoming an affirmation of that claim.”

Mr Murdoch spoke out after Culture Secretary Karen Bradley confirmed the potential deal would be referred to the competition watchdog for an in-depth investigation.