But even so, under current European law, national governments can do very little to block bids for private companies.

ECONOMIST: Mergers and acquisitions

As MPs debated a motion tabled by the government on the application of article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which enshrines the right to a family or private life in law, on 19 June 2012, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said she backed ministers' aim to deport more foreign criminals.

BBC: Debate on ECHR right to family life