Tom Watson, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, commenting on the Fox bid for BskyB, said:

“This bid has been expected since 2011, when Rupert Murdoch withdrew his original bid for BSkyB at the height of the phone-hacking scandal. If the independent committee set up by the board of Sky agrees to accept the offer from 21st Century Fox it will be incumbent on the regulatory authorities, including Ofcom, to ensure that media plurality is upheld and that competition concerns are addressed. 

“The bid must also be judged on its likely impact on the UK news market and the provision of robust and independent journalism. Finally, given the likely concentration of further media power in the hands of a single company, it is right that the fit and proper test should be applied by Ofcom if the deal is approved by Sky shareholders.”