Morrisons is demanding that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) replace its team that is investigating the alleged milk price fixing in the grocery sector.

The grocer is also demanding that the OFT admit that the decision to name it in the inquiry was “unfair and unlawful”.

Other dairies and supermarkets named in the inquiry, including Sainsbury’s and Asda, have admitted engaging in anti-competitive practices in exchange for reduced penalties, but Morrisons and Tesco have vowed to fight any findings against them.

In an application for a judicial review, seen by The Financial Times, Morrisons asked for a judge to order a halt to the inquiry if the OFT does appoint “a new case team and/or executive decision-maker”; carry out “an independent internal review”; and issue “a public statement acknowledging the unfair and unlawful prior position in relation to belief in guilt”.

In the OFT’s response to the claim, it said Morrisons’ complaint is “entirely without merit”, arguing it withdrew and clarified a press release naming Morrisons before the supermarket started its legal action.

In addition to the judicial review, Morrisons is suing the OFT for libel over a press release that included it in a list of companies the OFT found had fixed milk prices.

OFT accused of ‘sensationalist’ publicity seeking over milk inquiry

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