Britain said on Tuesday it would refer the UAE-led takeover of the Telegraph for a lengthy review, a move that will effectively kill the deal because a law banning foreign governments owning newspapers is due to come into force in coming months.

Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI took control of the Telegraph titles and the Spectator magazine in December when it helped repay the Barclay family’s 1.2 billion pound ($1.5 billion) debt to Lloyds Bank, but the deal needs regulatory approval.

British lawmakers and journalists have vehemently opposed the UAE’s takeover of the Telegraph, which is nicknamed the “Torygraph” for its long-standing support for the right-leaning Conservative, or Tory, Party. They say the acquisition of one of Britain’s most famous newspapers by a foreign state, particularly the UAE, would threaten press freedom.

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