 "UK's Labour calls for inquiry into Pfizer's AstraZeneca bid")
Britain's opposition Labour Party called on Sunday for an inquiry into a potential takeover of British firm AstraZeneca by US drugmaker Pfizer, accusing the government of "cheerleading" for a deal.
AstraZeneca on Friday rejected a £63-billion ($106- billion) bid from Pfizer, but the US firm is expected to pursue its efforts to acquire Britain's second largest pharmaceutical company.
"We need a more substantive assessment of whether this takeover is in the national economic interest before the UK government allows itself to be seen to be supporting it," Labour leader Ed Miliband said in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron.
But a year away from a national election, which polls show Labour would win if the vote were held now, Miliband's comments emphasize the high political, as well as financial, stakes.
Party leaders want to be seen protecting Britain's interests while avoiding nationalistic rhetoric that may spook other future overseas investment.
Ministers from the current two-party coalition have been pressing Pfizer over jobs and continued investment in research and development facilities in Britain. On Friday, Cameron's office said he was considering assurances from Pfizer Chief Executive Ian Read.
"We are going to have tests which ensure that this get-together becomes a great Anglo-American project, or it doesn't happen," Conservative party Spokesman Grant Shapps told Sky TV.
Miliband said the government's approach so far amounted to cheerleading for Pfizer's bid.
"I have seen the assurances you have received from Pfizer, but this merger would have an impact for decades to come, so it is not enough to have a few specific promises that only last for the next few years," Miliband said in his letter.
The centre-right Conservative party has cast the potential takeover as a success for finance minister George Osborne in attracting foreign companies to Britain by creating a favorable tax and regulatory environment.
AstraZeneca on Friday rejected a £63-billion ($106- billion) bid from Pfizer, but the US firm is expected to pursue its efforts to acquire Britain's second largest pharmaceutical company.
"We need a more substantive assessment of whether this takeover is in the national economic interest before the UK government allows itself to be seen to be supporting it," Labour leader Ed Miliband said in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron.
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While the government has talked with both AstraZeneca and Pfizer, it has said it has no intention of intervening in the deal and considers it a matter for the companies' boards and shareholders.
But a year away from a national election, which polls show Labour would win if the vote were held now, Miliband's comments emphasize the high political, as well as financial, stakes.
Party leaders want to be seen protecting Britain's interests while avoiding nationalistic rhetoric that may spook other future overseas investment.
Ministers from the current two-party coalition have been pressing Pfizer over jobs and continued investment in research and development facilities in Britain. On Friday, Cameron's office said he was considering assurances from Pfizer Chief Executive Ian Read.
"We are going to have tests which ensure that this get-together becomes a great Anglo-American project, or it doesn't happen," Conservative party Spokesman Grant Shapps told Sky TV.
Miliband said the government's approach so far amounted to cheerleading for Pfizer's bid.
"I have seen the assurances you have received from Pfizer, but this merger would have an impact for decades to come, so it is not enough to have a few specific promises that only last for the next few years," Miliband said in his letter.
The centre-right Conservative party has cast the potential takeover as a success for finance minister George Osborne in attracting foreign companies to Britain by creating a favorable tax and regulatory environment.