Letter to Freeport Plc

Guinness Peat Group PLC 09 July 2007 Re Freeport plc The following is the text of a letter which is being sent today by Guinness Peat Group plc ("GPG") to Freeport plc ("Freeport") in connection with GPG's purchase of shares in Freeport. "Disclosure of Interest in Shares pursuant to Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code ("the Code") Guinness Peat Group plc and its subsidiary companies ("the Group") hereby notify Freeport plc ("Freeport") that, following the market acquisition of 50,000 Ordinary shares of Freeport ("Shares") on 6 July 2007 at £3.43 per Share, the Group's direct interest now amounts to 7,530,781 Shares representing 19.9% of the issued share capital of Freeport. The Group has no interest in options or derivatives in the shares of Freeport. Therefore, following the above transaction, in accordance with its disclosure obligations under Rule 8.3 of the Code, the Group has a long interest in relevant securities (as defined in the Code) in aggregate totalling 19.9% of the issued shares of Freeport. The Group has an interest by virtue of being a Rule 8.3 shareholder of Freeport." Richard Russell Company Secretary Guinness Peat Group plc Tel: (0) 20 7484 3370 9 July 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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