An inquiry into insider trading before the bid is also reminiscent of the old Italy.

ECONOMIST: Italian telecoms

Monti announced in February that the European Commission would be conducting a lengthy inquiry into General Electric's bid to acquire Honeywell International.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

Asked whether he was in favour of News Corporation's bid to fully own BSkyB, Mr Salmond told the inquiry he supported "what benefited the Scottish economy".

BBC: Scotland politics