April 26 (Reuters) - The British government has told BP Plc that it wants the company to remain a British industrialchampion and it would oppose any takeover of the oil producer,the Financial Times reported.
British officials have said the government would be"sceptical" about any takeover -- even if it involves RoyalDutch Shell Plc -- because it wants the country to havetwo big global oil companies, FT reported. (http://on.ft.com/1bu3XqD)
Officials acknowledge the government has few formal powersto block a bid, but a senior City figure briefed on governmentthinking said making its opposition so clear may deter anyforeign bidder deter from offering a bid, FT reported.
Representatives at BP and 10 Downing Street were notimmediately available for comment.
BP, which may pay $13.7 billion in fines for its oil spillin the Gulf of Mexico, has maintained that it is under nopressure to make acquisitions after the recent takeover of BGGroup Plc by Shell.
Last week, Chief Executive Bob Dudley told CNBC that BPhad not been approached by any company. (Reporting by Shivam Srivastava in Bengaluru; Editing by LarryKing)