Secrecy

1. Prior to the announcement of an offer or possible offer, all persons privy to confidential information, and particularly price-sensitive information, concerning the offer or possible offer must treat that information as secret and may only pass it to another person if it is necessary to do so and if that person is made aware of the need for secrecy. All such persons must conduct themselves so as to minimise the chances of any leak of information.

2. Financial advisers must at the very beginning of discussions warn clients of the importance of secrecy and security. Attention should be drawn to the Code, in particular to this Rule 2.1 and to restrictions on dealings.