Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2020 to Question 124724 on Saudi Arabia: Newcastle United Football Club, on what grounds the English Premier League requested (a) advice, (b) intervention and (c) a meeting with officials from his Department.

This is a matter for the English Premier League. FCDO officials held virtual meetings with the Premier League following a request by the latter. FCDO officials were clear, in their communication with the English Premier League, that any prospective takeover of Newcastle United was a matter for the two parties concerned. FCDO officials routinely meet UK businesses at their request.