The UK trade minister, Stephen Byers, has named the panel to investigate whether Independent News and Media's £350m bid for the Belfast Telegraph may proceed. Tony O'Reilly has allayed Unionist concerns about a Taig takeover by winning the support of Unionist grandees, Lord Rogan, chairman of the party, and John Laird, a former MP.
However, unionists are reported to be further reassured by another, more commercial factor. If the deal goes through, the last thing O'Reilly will want is a united Ireland, for that would trigger a monopoly inquiry, by Tanaiste Mary Harney's department, into the Indo's dominant position in the media on the island of Ireland.