The FTSE 100 fell 0.5% with losses across oil majors, heavyweight miners and financial stocks, after Fed minutes overnight showed policymakers were deeply divided on an interest rate cut. The FTSE 250 shed 0.2% by 0715 GMT.

UAE-based healthcare provider NMC Health surged almost 42% and was tracking its best day ever after sources familiar with the deal said on Tuesday that two groups, including one backed by China's Fosun, were competing to buy a 40% stake in the company worth up to $1.9 billion.