This is the Government response to calls for Newcastle United takeover to be scrutinised

Financier Amanda Staveley, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and billionaire property developers David and Simon Reuben, has agreed a £300million deal for the club.

The takeover is with the Premier League for its owners’ and directors’ test.

MP Giles Watling last week called for the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee to examine the Saudi-based piracy of Premier League football.

The intervention came after Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports objected to the deal because of the illegal streaming of top-flight games in Saudi Arabia.

Watling, a member of the committe, said: “This investment fund is backed by the same entity that backs beoutQ – Saudi Arabia – and is particularly pressing as the government refused to comment on the takeover to the committee recently.”

However, culture secretary Oliver Dowden, tellingly, has reiterated the Government believes that it’s a decision for the Premier League.

Dowden told Sky News: “The first thing is for the Premier League to conduct a fit-and-proper-person test. They do that for anyone looking to take over clubs in the Premier League. It’s right that we allow the Premier League to conduct that. It is for the Premiership. It is for the Premier League to make that assessment.”

The proposed takeover has the overwhelming backing of United fans despite objections over piracy and Saudi Arabia's human rights record.