 Newsquest owns The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times |
The takeover of the Herald newspaper group by Newsquest will not be re-examined by the Competition Commission, it has been confirmed. It was asked to look into allegations that misleading evidence was given to the inquiry into the 2003 deal.
But a spokesman for the commission said it could not reopen its inquiry because more than three years had passed since the original investigation.
The UK Government is now being asked to take steps to reopen the inquiry.
Newsquest owns the Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times newspapers.
Original inquiry
It has made �3m of cuts at the group, resulting in 100 job losses.
The Competition Commission received requests from MPs and the National Union of Journalists to reopen its investigation into the takeover.
Last week the commission said it was investigating "serious allegations" about misleading evidence submitted during its original inquiry.
But it has now confirmed that cannot reopen the inquiry since the takeover was more than three years ago.
Pete Wishart, the SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, has called on the company to be "hauled back to account".
He is asking Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton to authorise the reopening of the inquiry.
Tim Blott, the managing director of The Herald and the Evening Times, said a letter from the commission did not say there was any case to answer.
"On the contrary, the commission points out that no formal undertakings were given by Newsquest or SMG in relation to the acquisition, and the Competition Commission has no power in any event to reopen its inquiry," he said.
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The commission points out that no formal undertakings were given by Newsquest or SMG in relation to the acquisition
