Abu Dhabi-backed group proposes Telegraph deal changes, prompting fresh UK scrutiny

"I have noted the very late stage in the process at which information about this new corporate structure has been shared and implemented.

Abu Dhabi-backed Redbird IMI has submitted a new proposal relating to its planned takeover of the Telegraph newspaper, likely prompting a fresh government probe on public interest grounds, British media minister Lucy Frazer said on Wednesday.

Growing alarm over possible foreign meddling in editorial matters at the right-leaning Telegraph and its sister title, the Spectator magazine, led Frazer to step in and order an initial probe by the competition watchdog, the CMA, and media regulator Ofcom last year. The regulators had been due to report back to Frazer by the end of Friday on the first probe.

"This week Redbird IMI have made changes to the corporate structure of the potential acquiring entities of the Telegraph Media Group and this creates a new Relevant Merger Situation," Frazer said in a written statement to parliament, adding that she intended to begin a fresh probe. "I have noted the very late stage in the process at which information about this new corporate structure has been shared and implemented. I do not consider this is conducive to the full and proper functioning of the process."