London Metal Exchange (LME) chairman Donald Brydon has stepped down as chairman of the UK's Takeover Panel prompting speculation regarding possible consolidation involving the exchange. LME's CEO Simon Heale recently played down the likelihood of consolidation involving the London exchange (see FO Week Vol 11 No 23), but with a position on the panel a potential conflict of interest with any future deal, Brydon's move once more sparked rumours. LME itself declined to comment on the announcement, which a spokesperson described as a...