The move, the latest in an escalating string of events, makes the Barclay's deal look less and less likely following a spate of other bidders announcing their intention to bid over the weekend.
David Montgomery, the former Mirror Group chief executive, is putting together a knockout £1.1bn bid for Hollinger with venture capitalists 3i. Daily Mail & General Trust, owners of the Daily Mail, and Richard Desmond's Express Newspapers are also bidding.
Hollinger said in a statement that a committee of its independent directors, together with interim CEO Gordon Paris, also adopted a shareholder-rights plan, commonly known as a "poison-pill" aimed at protecting all of the company's investors.
Shareholders were furious with Lord Black last week when the £260m deal was revealed. It was thought to be a very low price for the group that also includes the Chicago Sun-Times and the Jerusalem Post.
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