The trustees of J Sainsbury's pension schemes are to negotiate terms with the Qatari bidders for the UK supermarket chain, marking the first time UK trustees have had direct and formal influence over a takeover approach.

Delta Two, which is owned by the Qatari Investment Authority and backed by the Qatari state, said today that it would exchange confidential information with the supermarket's pension schemes about the impact of its £10.4bn (€15.3bn) offer for Sainsbury.