ussian tycoon and former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev has bought a majority stake in London's Evening Standard newspaper, the daily's parent company said Wednesday. "Associated Newspapers Ltd has agreed the sale of a majority interest in the Evening Standard for a nominal sum to Evening Press Ltd, a company formed by Alexander Lebedev and his son Evgeny Lebedev," said a statement.
"A new company, Evening Standard Ltd, will be established that will own the Evening Standard and in which Associated will be a minority shareholder with 24.9 percent," it added. Lebedev will be the chairman of the new company, while his son will be senior executive director, it added.
Lord Jonathan Rothermere, chairman of parent company Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), said: "We are very proud to have owned the Evening Standard. It has a long and distinguished history as one of the world's great city newspapers, based on outstanding journalism.