A car chase organised by a brewery

One of the most sedate car chases in history was played out on the streets of London yesterday when financial journalists followed a solicitor in a blue Skoda Octavia, who kept stopping. For the record, nobody was hurt.

Never, in anybody's wildest dreams, was The Interbrew Grand Tour of London, 2002, going to be a crowd-puller. From the moment the first date was cancelled at the offices of solicitors for the news agency Reuters – leaving a few photographers vaguely disappointed – it was apparent that drama and suspense had taken their summer holidays early.

Still, the show had to go on and David Sandy (a partner at Simmons & Simmons, acting for Interbrew) headed for the offices of The Guardian. Arriving at 11am on the dot, Mr Sandy appeared surprised to be confronted by a few reporters and photographers. "Crikey, we should have hired a bus to take you all with us," he said. This time, at least, he and his entourage made it to the lobby for the hand-over of one of his envelopes, containing a copy of court orders, and a brief chat with the editor Alan Rusbridger. What fun.

Then it was back in the team Skoda and off to the Financial Times building, safe in the knowledge that he would be "politely received and politely sent away" without taking any documents with him, assuming he heard the newspaper's editor Andrew Gowers on BBC Radio 4'sToday programme.

He kept his cool, even if he was alone in the lobby surrounded by inquisitors. Yes, he said, Interbrew was prepared to co-operate with the Financial Services Authority, and no, he didn't know why they were not there with him. "The FSA move in their own way," he said.

Having faced the photographers and answered the questions, he had one of his own. "Is there anyone I can actually give the document to?" he asked, waving his envelope. It was turning into one of those days.

Having finally handed over his delivery to the deputy managing editor, Hugh Carnegy, he was off again, down the steps jumping into the car, driver waiting to take off.

They went on a circuitous route – perhaps to shake off the pursuers, but more likely because they were early – before Mr Sandy arrived at The Times at 12.14pm for a two-minute meeting in the managing editor's office.

An overzealous security guard, under orders to protect the managing editor from reporters, became confused in the mêlée and attempted to eject The Times' own photographer and a corporate affairs manager.

Then it was off again to The Independent. Mr Sandy met the Editor-in-Chief, Simon Kelner, in the lobby, they talked briefly and then Mr Sandy left. The fun was almost over.