Servoca Regulatory News (SVCA)

24 May 2005 07:01

Multi Group PLC24 May 2005 Multi Group Plc Rule 2.10 Announcement - Relevant Securities in Issue On 23 May 2005 Multi Group Plc ("Multi") announced that it had acquired 850,000ordinary shares in Lorien plc ("Lorien"), representing approximately 4.56 percent. of Lorien's issued share capital, at a price of 35 pence per share. Multiis deemed to be acting in concert with its largest shareholder, SouthwindLimited (together the "Concert Party") in respect of Lorien. Southwind Limitedis currently interested in 3,250,000 Lorien shares, representing 17.45 per cent.of Lorien's issued share capital and thus the Concert Party is interested in atotal of 4,100,000 Lorien shares, representing 22.01 per cent. of its issuedvoting share capital. As at 24 May 2005 Multi has in issue and admitted to trading on the AIM marketof the London Stock Exchange 314,816,884 ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each underthe UK ISIN code GB0002899739. Multi's directors are currently considering the possibility of making an offerfor the entire issued voting share capital of Lorien at or around the price pershare paid by Multi for its current shareholding, subject to a minimum price of35 pence per share. Dealing Disclosure Requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the"City Code"), any person who, alone or acting together with any other person(s)pursuant to an agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal) toacquire or control relevant securities of Multi or Lorien, owns or controls, orbecomes the owner or controller, directly or indirectly, of one per cent. ormore of any class of securities of Multi or Lorien is required to disclose, bynot later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following thedate of the relevant transaction, dealings in such securities of that company(or in any option in respect of , or derivative reference to, any suchsecurities) during the period to the date on which the offer (were such an offerto be made) becomes or is declared unconditional as to acceptances or lapses oris otherwise withdrawn. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the City Code, all dealings in relevantsecurities of Multi or Lorien by Multi or Lorien, or by any of their respective"associates" (within the meaning of the City Code) must also be disclosed. If you are in any doubt as to the application of Rule 8 to you, please contactan independent financial adviser authorised under the Financial Services andMarkets Act 2000, consult the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk orcontact the Panel on telephone number +44 20 7638 0129; fax +44 20 7236 7013. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange