WHIreland Regulatory News (WHI)

25 Apr 2008 13:47

Blue Oar PLC25 April 2008 Blue Oar plc ("Blue Oar") Statement re possible offer The Board of Blue Oar notes the announcement made today by W H Ireland Group plc("W H Ireland") rejecting an unsolicited approach for the company. Blue Oar confirms that it had made a preliminary approach to the Board of W HIreland on 21 April 2008 regarding a possible offer for W H Ireland. The board of Blue Oar remains interested in pursuing a potential acquisition ofW H Ireland and accordingly continues to seek to meet with the board of WHIreland on an amicable basis. Enquiries: Andrew Monk/Chris Roberts Tel: 020 7448 4400Blue Oar Plc Richard Kauffer Tel: 020 7418 8900KBC Peel Hunt Ltd Reg Hoare/Andrew Wilde Tel: 020 7360 4900Smithfield Rule 2.10 In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, Blue Oarconfirms that, as at the close of business on 24 April 2008, it has 164,850,031ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in issue. The International Securities Identification Number for the ordinary shares is GB0031792194. Rule 8 Dealing Disclosure Requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the 'Code'), if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Blue Oar or of W H Ireland,all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of that company (including by meansof an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30pm (London time)on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. Thisrequirement will continue until the date on which an offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn oron which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act togetherpursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, toacquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of Blue Oar or W H Ireland, theywill be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of Blue Oar or W H Ireland by, Blue Oar or W H Ireland or by any oftheir respective 'associates', must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevanttransaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevantsecurities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securitiesin issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website atwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. 'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has a long economicexposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price ofsecurities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option inrespect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on thePanel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are requiredto disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange