Abu Dhabi-backed group tweaks Telegraph deal, inviting new UK scrutiny

On Tuesday, Redbird IMI changed the corporate structure through which it intends to take control of the titles, according to government disclosures on Wednesday. The titles will now be owned by a new English registered company of which Redbird IMI - which is backed by Emirati royal and Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan - is a limited partner.

Abu-Dhabi backed group Redbird IMI has tweaked its takeover plan for Britain's politically influential Telegraph newspaper, prompting another round of government scrutiny and a scolding from a minister over the last-minute changes. Growing alarm over possible foreign meddling in editorial matters at the right-leaning title led media minister Lucy Frazer to step in last year and order a probe by the competition watchdog, the CMA, and media regulator Ofcom on public interest grounds.

The regulators had been due to report back their findings on any potential impact on accuracy and freedom of expression that could stem from the deal, which also includes the Telegraph's sister title, the Spectator magazine, by the end of Friday. On Tuesday, Redbird IMI changed the corporate structure through which it intends to take control of the titles, according to government disclosures on Wednesday.

The titles will now be owned by a new English registered company of which Redbird IMI - which is backed by Emirati royal and Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan - is a limited partner. Limited partners do not have any control over business decisions or the operations of the company but their liability is limited to the amount they contributed to the partnership.

But Frazer said she continued to have concerns on public interest grounds and intended to begin a fresh probe into the deal. "I have noted the very late stage in the process at which information about this new corporate structure has been shared and implemented," Frazer said in a written statement to parliament.

"I do not consider this is conducive to the full and proper functioning of the process." Redbird IMI had no immediate comment but has previously said it is "entirely committed to maintaining the existing editorial team" and that their editorial independence is "essential to protecting their reputation and credibility".