A Lorillard investor filed suit to block the proposed takeover of the US cigarette maker by Reynolds American, a deal that also involves international players British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Tobacco, Bloomberg reported.

Investor Vincent Valentino is seeking to represent all Lorillard shareholders in a suit filed in Delaware Chancery Court that claims the Lorillard offer favours Reynolds American, according to the news agency. Reynolds tabled a USD 27.4 billion (EUR 20.2 billion) offer on 15 July as part of a global transaction that includes selling a portion of Lorillard to Imperial for USD 7.1 billion and a USD 4.7 billion investment by BAT to maintain its stake in Reynolds at 42 per cent.