Three’s £2bn dividend payout sparks row over Vodafone merger

Unite union says payout shows Three is highly profitable, and proposed merger is clear attack on consumers'

A record 2bn dividend payment to the owners of the telecoms firm Three sparked a row over the weekend as it was claimed that the huge payout showed the firm was profiteering and that its planned merger with Vodafone was a clear attack on consumers".

The Unite union said the dividend paid to the Hong Kong-listed conglomerate of the billionaire Li Ka-shing, which owns Three, revealed that the firm was highly profitable as an independent business and could remain viable without a merger.