[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14112465

The Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has referred News Corporation's bid for BSkyB to the Competition Commission.

The move follows News Corp's withdrawal of its proposed undertaking to spin off Sky News as part of its attempt to take over the broadcaster.

The spin-off of Sky News had initially been the key condition if News Corp was to be allowed to take over BSkyB.

But in light of the phone-hacking scandal, Mr Hunt had said he was seeking fresh advice from regulators.

"I am going to refer this [bid] to the Competition Commission with immediate effect and will be writing to them this afternoon," Mr Hunt told the House of Commons.

"Today's announcement will be an outcome that I'm sure the whole house will welcome.

"It will mean that the Competition Commission will be able to give further full and exhaustive consideration to this merger, taking into account all relevant recent developments."

Good for Hunt .....