Reeves reveals impartiality fears over UAE-backed deal for Telegraph

RACHEL REEVES has revealed she has impartiality concerns over the attempt by a United Arab Emirates-backed fund to take over The Telegraph.

The shadow chancellor said that she was “slightly anxious” at the idea of any foreign government running a British newspaper. RedBird IMI, a fund 75pc financed by the UAE, is bidding to gain control of The Telegraph and The

Spectator magazine.

Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, has triggered a public interest investigation into the sale, citing concerns about the accurate presentation of news and free expression.

With the bid in limbo, it remains possible that the Labour Party could ultimately decide whether to approve the deal, depending on when the next general election is held and how quickly the Government reaches a decision.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said in November that it was “right” for the bid to be investigated by the

Culture Department. Ms Reeves, inter- viewed for today’s Telegraph Magazine, was asked for her views about the UAEbacked takeover bid.

She said: “I am slightly anxious about a state running a newspaper. It’s not so much what nation it is, but any state owning a newspaper, I think, does raise concerns.”

Asked what specific concerns she had in mind, she added: “You wouldn’t have the UK government own and run a newspaper, would you? [It’s] just about impartiality.”

The shadow chancellor has outlined a vision for better weaving together a nation’s economy and national security interests in what she has called “securonomics”.

On Thursday, Sir John Major, the former prime minister, said it is not a “good idea” for the UAE-backed takeover to go ahead, warning newspapers should not fall into “autocratic or semi-autocratic hands”.

The shadow chancellor said she was ‘slightly anxious’ at the idea of any foreign government running a British newspaper