LONDON (Brand Republic) - A diplomatic row is set to break following an attack by the Belgian government on the UK鈥檚 ruling to block Interbrew鈥檚 £2.3bn takeover of Bass Brewers.
The UK鈥檚 Competition Commission鈥檚 decision was 鈥減rejudicial鈥 and blocked the expansion of a Belgian company while favouring UK firm Scottish & Newcastle, according to Charles Picque, Belgium鈥檚 economics minister. He has raised the issue with EC competition commissioner Mario Monti.
A spokesman for trade secretary Stephen Buyers hit back, saying a merger of Bass with Interbrew would reduce competition.
The decision has sent Interbrew鈥檚 share price down 27%.