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<p>The National Security and Investment Act was not in force when the original acquisition
took place in 2021. The Secretary of State used retrospective powers to call-in and
assess the acquisition under the Act. The Secretary of State takes decisions under
the Act in a quasi-judicial capacity, based on the facts and evidence presented to
him. The Act only allows the Secretary of State to make a Final Order to prevent,
remedy or mitigate risks to national security, and not for wider political or economic
reasons. As you’d expect, I’m unable to comment on the details of national security
assessments.</p>
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