The auction of nuclear power firm British Energy suffered a blow today after it emerged one of the potential suitors had pulled out of the running.

Nuclear power firm British Energy today dismissed a series of takeover approaches as not “representing shareholder value”.

French industrial group Suez confirmed today it was no longer involved in talks over a possible bid for UK nuclear power provider British Energy.

Nuclear power station operator British Energy was today said to be weighing up an £11bn (€13.7bn) takeover approach from German utility business RWE.

British Energy said today it was extending the life of its Kent nuclear power station by 10 years in a move that stoked up the debate on the future of atomic energy in the UK.