Keir Starmer says it’s ‘not for him’ to object to NUFC takeover 

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer has said it is not for him to object to the takeover of  Newcastle United football club by a Saudi-led investment consortium.

The consortium consists of PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will hold 80% of the shares.

In an interview with the BBC Breakfast programme this morning Starmer  said fans were “glad to see the back of Mike Ashley”.

But when asked whether the deal should go ahead amid concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights records, Sir Keir said he was “concerned”, but added that:

“It’s not for me as the leader of the opposition to say who should own which football club. It is for an independent regulator. That is the scheme we’re putting forward.” he said.

He seemed to suggest that the regulator’s guidelines were adequate, explaining: “I think an independent regulator will look very carefully … the whole point of an independent regulator is they would look at the thing in the round, and the question of whether this is a fit and proper takeover.”

Earlier today Chi Onwurah, the Labour MP for Newcastle Central slammed the purchase of the club, and said an overhaul of current regulations was required.