Czech billionaire’s Royal Mail stake under national security review

Daniel Ketinsky-controlled Vesa Equity Investment could increase its shareholding to more than 25%

Ministers are to conduct a national security review into the ownership of Royal Mail, after it emerged the Czech billionaire who is the 500-year-old postal firm's largest shareholder has increased his stake.

The intervention came as Royal Mail executives braced for the first of four days of national strike action over pay and conditions, with members of the Communication Workers Union set to walk out on Friday.