LONDON
The UK minister evaluating 21st Century Fox Inc’s purchase of Sky Plc may not make a decision on the next step in the process before Parliament goes on recess next week, according to a spokesman, a delay that would potentially push a final ruling to March 2018.
Culture Secretary Karen Bradley needs time to evaluate public feedback on the £11.7 billion deal before making a final decision on whether to send it to the Competition & Markets Authority, the spokesman for the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport said by phone on Friday. A separate spokesman said the department hasn’t yet made a final decision.
Bradley said last month she expected to turn the deal over to the CMA for an investigation that could last up to six months. She has also vowed to inform Parliament of her decision before releasing it to the public. With Parliament going on recess on July 20, the six-month review period wouldn’t start until it returns in September, unless Bradley gives her decision on referral next week.
Bradley needs time to evaluate submissions it’s received since her initial “minded to” statement on June 29, the first spokesman said.
A Sky spokesman declined to comment. A spokeswoman for Fox didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
