The decision was taken by the then Secretary of State for Trade, John Biffen, on the grounds the two papers were not going concerns and could close if the takeover were delayed by an MMC investigation.

BBC: Analysis: Murdoch and media ownership in UK

The decision was formally taken by the Secretary of State for Trade, John Biffen, on the grounds that the two papers were not going concerns and could close if the takeover were delayed by an MMC investigation.

BBC: How Margaret Thatcher helped change media landscape