Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) representatives of his Department issued advice to the English Premier League on the proposed takeover of Newcastle United football club by a consortium including the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement.

The Foreign Secretary did not discuss, nor exchange correspondence, with the English Premier League on this issue. FCDO officials were clear, in their communication with the English Premier League, that any prospective takeover of Newcastle United Football Club was a matter for the two parties concerned.