Retail tycoon Mr Philip Green welcomed a call today by the top shareholder in Marks & Spencer for the bid target to open its books to him, and said he had not abandoned his battle for the retailer.
"Of course I haven't given up, we've got a board that's locked the door and is entrenched, maybe they'll have to listen today (at the M&S annual general meeting)," he said.
Earlier, Brandes Investment Partners, which owns 11.7 per cent of the shares in Marks & Spencer, called on the board to enter into talks with Mr Green regarding his £9.1 billion offer and to allow him to start due diligence.
"Brandes is the longest-term shareholder and the largest shareholder and is not supportive of their (recovery) plan. Brandes has seen through two sets of management and the fact they won't listen is an indictment on them (the M&S board)."