The British government said today it had stripped the Legacy consortium of preferred-bidder status for the Millennium Dome and would allow other interested parties to come forward.
Legacy wanted to turn the Dome into a technology business park. The consortium is led by property entrepreneur Mr Robert Bourne, a Labour Party supporter, and backed by Irish company Treasury Holdings.
The deal had been due yesterday but the talks had dragged on amid concerns over the consortium's financial arrangements.
The Dome's former chief, Frenchman Mr Pierre-Yves Gerbeau, chose the Valentine's Day deadline to make a last-ditch plug for his offer to buy the Dome.
He said he had the backing of Japanese bank Nomura and urged ministers to reopen the bidding before it was too late.
Reuters