Lebedev: Deal on The Independent to close soon
Posted by Leah McBride Mensching on February 26, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev told the Wall Street Journal today he believes UK newspaper The Independent will be in his hands soon. The former KGB agent-turned-banker bought London freesheet the Evening Standard last year."As far as I understand most of the problems have been resolved," Lebedev told the WSJ. Independent News and Media PLC is the paper's current owner. He added that both parties are ready for the deal, but that "We haven't yet exchange contracts."
Earlier this week, INM said it has received a number of unsolicited approaches for the Independent, according to Media Guardian.
Lebedev's exclusivity period ends today, the Telegraph reported, noting that "Concern has been raised that if the deal goes ahead Mr Lebedev will own three British newspapers." Competition concerns are asked to be sent to the UK Office of Fair Trading by March 11.
Lebedev's exclusivity period ends today, the Telegraph reported, noting that "Concern has been raised that if the deal goes ahead Mr Lebedev will own three British newspapers." Competition concerns are asked to be sent to the UK Office of Fair Trading by March 11.
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![Digg](http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfnblog.com%2Fownership_and_regulations%2F2010%2F02%2Flebedev_deal_on_the_independent_to_close.php&bodytext=<form mt:asset-id="5097" class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;" contenteditable="false"><img alt="Lebedev.jpg" src="http://www.sfnblog.com/industry_trends/Lebedev.jpg" class="mt-image-left" style="margin: 0pt 20px 20px 0pt; float: left;" height="192" width="288" /></form>Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704625004575089202058007146.html?mod=">told the Wall Street Journal</a> today he believes UK newspaper The Independent will be in his hands soon. The former KGB agent-turned-banker bought London freesheet the Evening Standard last year.<br /><br />"As far as I understand most of the problems have been resolved," Lebedev told the WSJ. Independent News and Media PLC is the paper's current owner. He added that both parties are ready for the deal, but that "We haven't yet exchange contracts." &title=Lebedev: Deal on The Independent to close soon){kind=link}
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