ALEX BRUMMER: As ministers go into battle for UK defence firm, are we fighting off foreign sharks?
After a long silence during which great swathes of Britain's aerospace and defence industries have disappeared into private equity and overseas hands, ministers look at last to have decided that enough is enough. Following a dramatic £6.3billion bid for aerospace and engineering firm Meggitt – vital suppliers to the UK's big two defence contractors BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce – the Government has said it is minded to intervene. The proposed takeover by US competitor Parker-Hannifin at least comes from a trade buyer and one of Britain's Nato allies. This can only be preferable to a privat...