The editor of The Spectator has become the latest to speak out amid fears for free Press over the magazine's takeover by 'a foreign government'.

Along with its sister newspapers the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, The Spectator faces being controlled by a fund majority-owned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Writing in his magazine this week, Fraser Nelson said: 'The Emiratis stand to be the first government in the world to buy a national newspaper in another country, so it's a test case.'

The editor of The Spectator has become the latest to speak out amid fears for free Press over the magazine's takeover by 'a foreign government'

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has instructed regulator Ofcom to examine the sale of the Telegraph group and could block it, with an announcement due this month.

Concerns have been raised ever since RedBird IMI paid £1.2billion for the group. RedBird IMI is a joint venture between US-based RedBird Capital and IMI, a Gulf media company owned by the UAE's deputy prime minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Mr Nelson warned: 'Newspapers and magazines are not like trains or shopping centres: they're a vital part of our democratic apparatus.

'The British tradition has been that of a free press, and 'free', of course, means free from government interference.

How to reconcile this principle with governments actually owning publications?'

The offices of the Telegraph Media Group in central London

His remarks echo warnings over the Telegraph titles led by veteran former editor Lord Moore who said ministers would never be forgiven if they let the 'great British institutions' be controlled by a foreign power.

Senior female writers on the paper have been outspoken over fears of 'misogyny' by the potential owners.

Jeff Zucker, head of RedBird IMI, has promised 'total editorial freedom' enshrined in a legally-binding deal with the UK Government.

But Mr Nelson wrote: 'Either of us could be replaced in two shakes of a camel's tail – and this is the problem.' DMGT, which owns the Mail, has been among potential bidders for the titles.