Davis: We MUST step in and block sale of Telegraph

Censorship fear over UAE-backed deal

FORMER Brexit Secretary David Davis has urged the Government to block the sale of The Daily Telegraph to an Abu Dhabi-backed fund.

It comes after ex-prime minister Liz Truss also called for the newspaper’s editorial independence to be guaranteed.

Their warnings come amid growing concerns about the controversial bid by RedBird IMI, a joint venture with backing from Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, to buy the Telegraph and The Spectator magazine.

Last week, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer opened an investigation into the sale.

But Mr Davis yesterday urged the Government to go further and halt the sale.

He told GB News: ‘ I just think it’s wrong. We shouldn’t normally, in my view, allow people who are outside the reach of our country to own major newspapers.’

‘It [The Telegraph] has massive influence both at elections and on people’s general views.

‘ Why should we give that power to the Emirates?’

Asked whether he thought the Government should step in and stop the sale, Mr Davis replied: ‘Yes, in my view absolutely.’

Meanwhile, Ms Truss called for ministers to protect the paper’s independence.

‘I want the Government to ensure that any ownership of the Press enables them to freely publish according to what they believe to be the case,’ she told The Sunday Telegraph. Former Tory leaders Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Lord Hague of Richmond have also previously called for scrutiny of the deal.

Lloyds Banking Group took control of Telegraph Media Group from the Barclay family in June, due to debts. The proposed deal will see RedBird IMI give a loan of £1.2 billion to clear the family’s debt, a move that would take the publications out of receivership.

RedBird IMI is led by Jeff Zucker, an ex-CNN boss, and backed by Sheikh Mansour

‘I just think it’s wrong’

bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vicepresident of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and owner of football team Manchester City.

RedBird IMI has insisted the paper would retain editorial independence and it can give a legally binding assurance.

As well as asking media regulator Ofcom to investigate the deal, Ms Frazer has issued a ‘hold separate’ order preventing RedBird IMI from ownership before the review is in.