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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Julia Kollewe

UK calls in Czech billionaire’s Royal Mail bid for national security review

Daniel Křetínský speaks at a conference in Prague, October 2023: he is in his late 40s with short-cropped fairish hair and glasses, and is seen against a black backdrop wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and pale blue tie; his hands are held up in front of his body with fingers pushed together as he speaks
Daniel Křetínský would pay 360p a share for the 73% of the postal service that he does not already own, under the agreed deal. Photograph: David W Černý/Reuters

The Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský’s takeover bid for Royal Mail has been called in by the UK government for closer scrutiny of any national security risks including potential links to Russia, the Guardian understands.

Royal Mail’s owner, International Distribution Services (IDS), agreed to a £3.57bn takeover by its largest shareholder, Křetínský’s EP Group, in May.

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