INM eyes U-turn on London titles

INM confirmed, yesterday, that it has entered an exclusive, non-binding, agreement with Mr Lebedev and is engaged in discussions with him, “with regard to the future ownership” of the two titles. It is understood that he is the only interested party in the assets.
The Russian has previously been linked with a move for the Independent titles but is believed only to have had contact with the newspaper’s editor, Simon Kelner. Yesterday’s announcement suggests the owner of London’s Evening Standard is now talking to INM at plc level.