Royal Mail £3.6bn takeover passes national security check

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Royal Mail’s takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has passed another major milestone towards completion with approval under national security laws.

Kretinsky’s EP Group noted on Friday that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster had conditionally approved its bid for Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services PLC (LSE:IDS) under the National Security and Investment Act.

“The order approves the acquisition, subject to the parties ensuring that Royal Mail remains able to and continues to provide services that are in support of UK national security,” it said.


EP had tabled the £3.6 billion bid in May, paving the way for Royal Mail to be taken into foreign ownership for the first time in its 500-year history.

However, national security concerns had been raised over the offer, threatening to slam the breaks on the takeover

IDS and EP were separately granted approval to move forward with the takeover from the government earlier this week, marking a key moment in Kretinsky’s bid to buy the postal service.

Approval under the act was separate to the government’s support, EP noted, with the deal expected the be completed in the first quarter of next year.