New information brought to the attention of the UK Takeover Panel has strengthened the case for WPP, the UK media company run by Sir Martin Sorrell, to withdraw its offer for Tempus, the UK media buying agency.

WPP's joint financial advisers, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs, are leading the charge to persuade the panel that there has been a material adverse change (MAC) to the financial affairs of Tempus since WPP launched its offer. They feel that their case has been strengthened by information provided by Tempus to the panel at the end of last week.