The MD of LibertySurf in the UK has slammed reports that the European ISP may close its operations outside of France.

French business newspaper Les Echos did not cite sources but claimed LibertySurf was contemplating pulling out of Spain, Sweden and the UK in a bid to cut costs and make the business more attractive to potential purchases.

LibertySurf has confirmed it is holding talks with a number of potential buyers and was linked to state-owned Belgian telco Belgacom. It has also been linked to Tiscali.

Asked whether the closure of the UK operation was on the cards, Paul Shalet, MD of LibertySurf UK, told The Register: "It's a load of bollocks. Now have you got the balls to print that?"

"LibertySurf has made a huge investment in the UK - it's not going to cut and run now," he said adding that such a move would damage share price.

"LibertySurf is committed to a pan European strategy," he said.

However, according to AFX, LibertySurf chairman Pierre Besnainou has now confirmed that the ISP is "studying the possibility" of closing non-French operations, a moved that is "linked to the future of our capital structure". ®

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