The Merger Action Group has been formed to challenge the decisions made by the UK Government in promoting the merger between HBOS and LLoyds TSB whilst disregarding any alternative, and waiving the normal process of competition.  We believe these decisions to be unlawful and against the interests of fostering employment, competition and the taxpayer's best interest.

MAG has asked the Competition Appeals Tribunal to overturn the decision of the Secretary of State, Lord Mandelson to not refer the Merger to the Competition Commission, a decision which was against the recommendation of the Office of Fair Trading.

Please support our campaign, to ensure the Competition Commission can fully address the impact on the UK Economy of the significant competition issues identified by the OFT.  In addition we want the UK Government to consider alternatives that would not cause such competition issues and be better for stake holders including shareholders, employees, customers and tax payers.

Issues raised from MAG Campaign [02/03/09]

Although the Competition Appeals Tribunal ruled against us, the issues raised by our case continue to resonate, particularly given subsequent events and disclosures.
 
Given your earlier support, we thought you may be interested to know that Vince Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Treasury Spokesman, has tabled various Parliamentary Questions regarding the "secret dossier" of evidence used by the UK Government in the CAT, and what it contained.  He has asked for the dossier now to be made public and has attracted cross-party support.  Additionally, Margo Macdonald MSP has submitted a Freedom of Information request for disclosure of all relevant information regarding the takeover.

For the full press release, click here.

MAG says 'We've Done All We Can In Bank Takeover Legal Challenge' [11/12/08]

The Merger Action Group said today [Thurs] it felt it had done all it practically could to highlight the widespread public concern over the Government's decision to waive competition law to push through the takeover of HBOS by Lloyds TSB.

Accordingly, MAG has decided to conclude its legal challenge and will not be appealing to the Court of Session following the Competition Appeal Tribunal's ruling.

For the full press release on the CAT decision, please click here.

Competition Appeal Tribunal Decision [10/12/08]

The Merger Action Group tonight [Wed] said it was disappointed to lose its legal challenge against the Government's decision to ignore competition law to push through the Lloyds TSB's proposed takeover of HBOS.

But the group was heartened that the Competition Appeal Tribunal [CAT] found they were right and proper people to bring the action which had been raised under public interest concerns.

Immediately after the tribunal ruling, MAG said it was considering its position over whether it would appeal the tribunal's decision to the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

For the full press release on the CAT decision, please click here.

Second Day of Competition Appeal Tribunal [09/12/08]

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson 'short-circuited' the law to push through the Lloyds TSB takeover of HBOS under pressure from the Prime Minister and Chancellor who had already decided it must go ahead, the tribunal heard today [Tues].

For the full press release on the second day of the CAT, please click here.

Competition Appeal Tribunal, Now Commenced [08/12/08]

Neither the Prime Minister, the Chancellor nor the Business and Enterprise Secretary had the power to waive competition law when they allowed the proposed merger of Lloyds TSB and HBOS to proceed, a court heard today.

For the full press release on the first day of the CAT, please click here.

Legal Challenge to HBOS / Lloyds merger to start on Monday [05/12/08]

The legal challenge to the UK Government's decision to approve the HBOS-Lloyds TSB merger without referring it to the Competition Commission is to begin on Monday [Dec 8th].

For the press release in full, please click here.

MSPs back MAG

A cross-party group of MSPs have offered their full support to MAG’s legal challenge and campaign.  They met MAG spokesman Malcolm Fraser at Holyrood.  L to R are:- Alex Neil, SNP, Margo MacDonald, Independent, Malcolm Fraser and Tavish Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Please click here to download a copy of the submission.