Lebedev informed the OFT this week of the expected acquisition.
The OFT has today invited interested parties to comment on the purchase of the titles by Lebedev Holdings, the umbrella company which owns the London Evening Standard.
The move by Lebedev is not standard practice, according to the OFT, but is not unusual ahead of an anticipated deal.
The deadline for negotiations between Independent News & Media, the owner of The Independent and The Independent on Sunday, and Lebedev is tomorrow.
Earlier this week, Alexander Lebedev and his son Evgeny were reported to have met the prime minister, Gordon Brown.
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