The Culture Secretary , Lisa Nandy , has stepped in over Sky ’s £1.6 billion deal to buy ITV ’s media and entertainment arm, asking regulators to examine the takeover on public interest grounds.

Ms Nandy has announced her decision to issue a so-called Public Interest Intervention Notice, which paves the way for the Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) and regulator Ofcom to probe the takeover.

The two regulators will report back to her on the impact of the deal on media plurality in the UK and free speech by 27 January.

Once their reports arrive, she may then decide to refer the deal to the CMA for a further in-depth investigation.

Ms Nandy said she will also bring forward new streaming legislation in view of her “specific concerns” over the tie-up.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy

She had already said last month she was “minded to intervene” on public interest grounds.

Ms Nandy said: “The legislation already specifies a public interest consideration on the need for the availability, throughout the…