In a statement issued this morning, Havas said that statements made by Bollore were in his capacity as chief executive of Groupe Bollore, through which he has acquired more than 12% of Aegis.
This refers to comments made at Groupe Bollore's results presentation on September 30, during which Vincent Bollore said that his investment in Aegis was for the short term.
Havas said it was issuing the clarification after a request by the UK takeover panel, to confirm that the comments they were not made in relation to the company.
"Such statements should not be taken has having any bearing on the question of whether or not Havas might participate at any time in any offer for Aegis in any capacity," Havas said.
Aegis revealed yesterday that it had met with more than one party over the possibility of a takeover. Publicis Groupe had already been revealed as one of the parties, and it emerged that WPP Group was teaming up with private equity company Hellman & Friedman to consider making bid.
The deal between the two would see WPP take control of the Aegis-owned market research business, Synovate, while the private equity firm would gain control of media networks Carat and Vizeum.
In its statement yesterday, Aegis pointed out that the talks may not result in any bid being made.
News of two suitors sent Aegis' share price up by 5p yesterday, and a further 0.25p when the market opened this morning, to see them valued at 144p.
Rival advertising networks are interested in Aegis's prized Carat media network, as well as second-string media brand Vizeum, the media research division Synovate and the digital network Isobar.
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