Bid to block HBOS merger launched

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A group of businessmen, bank customers and shareholders is to seek a legal ruling that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson's decision to allow the merger was unlawful.

The group is to seek the ruling from the Competition Appeal Tribunal, a specialist legal body whose function is to decide appeals on competition issues.

Tribunal cases are heard by panels chaired by a judge who sits with two experts.

The legal bid is being mounted by the Merger Action Group (MAG), whose spokesman is an Edinburgh architect, Malcolm Fraser, who was responsible for the repair and renewal of HBOS's historic headquarters in Edinburgh.

The Government gave the green light to the takeover on October 31 after over-ruling competition concerns raised by the Office of Fair Trading.

Lord Mandelson said the public interest of "preserving the stability of the financial system" outweighed any potential anti-competitive effects.

Lloyds TSB shareholders backed the merger at a meeting in Glasgow on November 19 and HBOS shareholders are to decide in December.

The MAG is asking for the tribunal to sit in Edinburgh as it is a Scottish group and both banks are registered in Scotland.

But it also wants to act as a rallying point across the UK and is seeking the support of unions, industry bodies and consumer groups.