US firms blocked from UK over security fears

[mrswdk]

The UK Government has announced that it will be blocking US firm's takeover of a British company over fears that the American company poses a threat to national security:

The government is to intervene in a US private equity firm's takeover of UK defence and aerospace firm Cobham, citing national security concerns.

Advent International made a £4bn offer to buy Cobham in July and shareholders approved the deal last month.

But Cobham's founding family raised concerns about the company's future and its connections with UK defence.

The government said it wanted to "support private sector innovation whilst safeguarding public interest".

Advent International and other American firms have clear ties to the US Government and cannot be allowed access to any of the UK's vital infrastructure or the opportunity to steal British intellectual property.

[2dimes]

You really want your island to take on an adversarial role with regards to the US&A?

I hope the twits in my country don't take it that far. Maybe I need to go talk with the consulate about moving there before it gets to that.

[mrswdk]

It is actually the US that has taken an adversarial role with the UK here. If it was not attempting to infiltrate British defense in this manner then the UK would not need to defend itself.

[2dimes]

The company just wants money. Infiltrate, yeah, they want some pounds sterling to infiltrate their bank accounts.

[mrswdk]

Much like Mata Hari just wanted some nice shiny Deutsche Mark to pad out her retirement plan.

[2dimes]

You better play nice or Lockheed Martin might quit training RAF pilots. I guess you could go back to having a really swell navy.