Business Secretary Vince Cable has asked regulator Ofcom to investigate plans by News Corporation to bid for the 61 per cent of shares in BSkyB it does not own.


Ofcom will investigate whether the bid will damage media competition in this country.


“The independent experts at Ofcom will now investigate and report to me on the media plurality issues that may arise from this proposed acquisition,” said Mr Cable.


The regulator is due to report back to Mr Cable by December 31.


News Corporation has already informed the European Commission of its plans, and its reaction is expected by December 8.


In a statement, News Corporation said: "News Corporation is confident that the proposed investment will not adversely affect media plurality in the United Kingdom and looks forward to discussing any substantive issues with the relevant authorities."