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Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 22 July 2025

Debate

Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) Regulations 2025

Contribution

My Lords, last year I went to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport with the noble Baroness, Lady Stowell, in a small delegation to make representations about the lack of any regulation at that time to prevent foreign Governments buying stakes in British newspapers. In the subsequent debate I certainly supported her view, and I liked very much what she has said today. The consultation may well have produced only four newspaper contingents giving their views, but a lot of other people have given a lot of thought to it in the meantime, as I have. The question for the House today is whether we accept the compromise of 15%, higher than 5% but lower than the 25% that would have given the statutory controls, or go for a fatal amendment, getting close to what would be regarded as the edges of the constitution. I think that the Government have given a fair account, and I have discussed it and debated it at the same time. I have changed my mind. I think the safeguards that are available and the 15% are reasonable, and I believe we should therefore vote against the fatal amendment.

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