EXPECT

another play in the chess match to buy outsourcer G4S this week in a drama with as many moves as the popular Netflix s eri es The Queen’s Gambit.

Canada’s GardaWorld upped its hostile bid by 45p a share to £2.35 last week, leaving US suitor Allied Universal until Wednesday to lodge a formal offer.

Sources in the Allied camp expressed surprise at how much Garda is willing to shell out – and a fresh round of discussions with its lenders has ensued as it weighs up the price.

One said: ‘Given how much Garda has offered, shareholders will be keen to accept an offer rather than stick with the status quo. No deal is effectively off the table.’

Not a phrase we’re used to hearing from politicians of late...