Following on from our previous post on 22nd October 2020 (please see here), the UK Government have confirmed that a full consultation will be launched in early 2021 on potential precautionary powers to block company listings on UK stock exchanges on national security grounds in certain scenarios. The announcement has coincided with the recent introduction of the National Security and Investment (“NS&I”) Bill which significantly expands the UK Government’s powers to review the national security…

According to recent press reports, the UK Treasury intends to open a consultation on new powers that could see companies blocked from listing on UK stock exchanges in certain scenarios. The consultation is expected to cover a proposal that the UK government be able to block a listing if it thinks a foreign state is attempting either to undermine the stock exchange’s reputation or to steal state secrets. Commenting on these proposals, Nick O’Donnell, Corporate…