1. Both bids lapsed when the government announced a probe in December. 2. Both bids lapsed when the MMC announced its probe. 3. If referred to regulators for a review of its anti-competitive potential, the bid automatically lapses. 4. If referred to regulators for a review of whether or not the takeover is in the public interest, the bid automatically lapses. 5. That bid lapsed after the U.K. government said it would review bids by power generators for regional electric companies. 6. That bid lapsed in August because of regulatory delays. 7. That bid lapsed because of U.K. regulatory delays. 8. The earlier bid lapsed after the U.K. government said it would review bids by power generators for regional electric companies. 9. Under U.K. law, a bid automatically lapses if it is referred to the MMC. |