Disclosure of interest

INM/NEWSQUEST

Sir Derek Morris, the Chairman of the Competition Commission, would like to appoint Mr Peter Freeman, one of the members of the Commission, to serve on the inquiry group which will be conducting this investigation. Mr Freeman is a solicitor and a partner in the firm of Simmons & Simmons.

Mr Freeman has in the past advised The Telegraph Group Limited, publishers of the Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, on competition issues. Although The Telegraph Group Limited remains a client of Simmons & Simmons, Mr Freeman has not advised it in the last five years.

Mr Freeman heads the team at Simmons & Simmons advising the Independent Television Commission (ITC) on competition and regulatory matters. The ITC has no direct regulatory function in relation to newspapers although newspaper ownership can be relevant to the exercise of some of its powers in relation to the regulation of commercial television broadcasting (for example in assessing cross media holdings). The ITC also regulates aspects of television advertising.

Mr Freeman believes that neither his firm’s relationship with The Telegraph Group Limited, nor his relationship with The Independent Television Commission will affect his ability to act independently and impartially in discharging the CC’s functions in this investigation. The CC believes that Mr Freeman will act independently and impartially.

30 May 2003