May 20 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the
business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified
these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
The Times
Phil Mickelson, the American golfer, made nearly $1 million
buying stock based on insider trading tips, U.S. federal
securities regulators alleged yesterday. RR.L is under investigation for bribery and
corruption on a third continent. The Serious Fraud Office is
understood to be investigating the engineering group over trade
with Nigeria. Guardian
The race to acquire BHS has entered its final stages with
Matalan tycoon John Hargreaves understood to have offered
somewhere between 60 million pounds and 75 million pounds to
acquire the stricken retailer. Cameron has moved to quell a rebellion by Conservative
Eurosceptics over a controversial trade deal between the EU and
U.S., after he faced the first government defeat on a Queen's
speech since 1924. Telegraph
The Bank of England must stand ready to slash interest rates
towards zero if the economy does not bounce back quickly from
its current malaise, according to a top official. News
Tobacco companies have lost their High Court challenge over
government plain packaging rules, the day before they are due to
come into force on Friday. CINV.UL , the private equity firm, is in the early
stages of evaluating an approach to the board of Restaurant
Group RTN.L , which has seen its shares plunge by more than
half during the last 12 months. Independent
Monsanto (NYSE:MON) MON.N , the world's largest seed maker with a
market value of $42 billion, said it received an unsolicited
takeover approach from Germany's Bayer, BAYGn.DE the latest
step in the consolidation of the global seed and crop chemical
industry. (http://ind.pn/1qxq06K)
Thousands would be wiped off house prices and rent if the UK
voted to leave the EU in a referendum to be held on June 23,
estate agents and letting agents have said. (http://ind.pn/1qxpTIp)