Is Your Delivery in Good Hands? Kretinsky Faces Scrutiny Amid Royal Mail Take Over

Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech billionaire renowned for his business dealings, finds himself embroiled in controversy over his potential acquisition of the UK’s Royal Mail. The move has raised red flags among industry insiders and government officials alike due to Kretinsky’s well-documented ties to Russian enterprises, prompting fears of undue Russian influence over one of the nation’s critical infrastructures.

Kretinsky’s EP Group already owns the majority of shares in Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distribution Services (IDS) and exerts substantial control over Royal Mail. Similar takeovers of national and popular brands by foreign entities haven’t undergone such thorough checks before.

However, Royal Mail represents a different case—it’s woven into the very fabric of the UK. Any nations would resist letting such a vital business fall into foreign hands, especially those with connections to a country that historically is not a UK ally.

Kretinsky owns a chunk of EUStream, a Slovakian pipeline transporting Russian gas to Western Europe. This venture is under review due to national security implications and his links to Russia.

Despite the potential labour disputes and financial bottlenecks, Kretinsky’s potential investment could pay off with drastic changes at Royal Mail. But first, he must pass the government’s security review—an easier task, perhaps, than reshaping Royal Mail.

The controversy around Kretinsky’s move to acquire Royal Mail hasn’t arisen in a vacuum. It reflects broader geopolitical tensions and the strategic importance of maintaining control over national infrastructures. Critics within the UK argue that the vulnerability of such vital services to foreign influence, particularly from entities with notable Russian ties, could jeopardise national security.

A senior UK government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed these prevailing anxieties succinctly:

“The acquisition of Royal Mail by a company with significant Russian ties raises serious concerns about the security and integrity of our postal service.”

There is also a significant public sentiment dimension. UK citizens have historically viewed Royal Mail as more than a postal service; it’s seen as a national institution ingrained in the country’s social fabric. Hence, the prospect of foreign ownership, especially under the shadow of Russian affiliation, tends to inflame public opinion.