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NEW: Emails obtained by @TheAthleticFC say British govt considered Newcastle takeover an “immediate risk” to the country’s relationship with Saudi Arabia & Boris Johnson’s chief strategist wanted an interlocutor to “impress HMG interests” on Premier League theathletic.com/4375454/2023/0…
The papers claim PIF, owners of Newcastle, had stated aim of “£30 BILLION” in direct investment into the UK from 2018-2028. Our report and 59 pages of emails show the level of concern at the highest levels of British government about the possible failure. theathletic.com/4375454/2023/0…
The emails show the British Foreign Office appearing to seek to enhance the image of Saudi Arabia during the takeover process, speaking of a “PR offer”, offering “colour” on the reforms taking place on the ground theathletic.com/4375454/2023/0…
Internal foreign office emails even go so far as to flag up an interview by legal reps of the grieving fiancée of Jamal Khashoggi when she pleaded on the BBC for the takeover to be blocked in April 2020 theathletic.com/4375454/2023/0…
The emails also show that a British foreign officer minister discussed the issue in a call with the Saudi ambassador to Britain and Boris Johnson had a prepared line to take if MBS raised the takeover on a call in May 2020. theathletic.com/4375454/2023/0…
Despite these emails, the government still deny they sought to influence the process & even claimed the PL asked for meetings on the takeover. Boris Johnson declined to comment, as did the PL, whose chief exec has previously claimed there was “no pressure” theathletic.com/4375454/?sourc…
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