Vodafone says not pursuing MTN bid

LONDON (Reuters) - Vodafone Group (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's largest mobile phone group by revenue, has no intention of pursuing a bid for the South African company MTN (MTNJ.J: Quote, Profile, Research), a spokesman said on Sunday.

Reports in the Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times said Vodafone was considering making a bid for part or all of MTN which could cost around 20 billion pounds.

"We have no intention of pursuing a bid for MTN," a spokesman said.

The two papers said Vodafone's interest had been triggered by India's top mobile operator Bharti Airtel (BRTI.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) which said last week it was in exploratory talks with MTN that may or may not lead to a deal.

(Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by Rory Channing)