April 22 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories

in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories

and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Headlines

- UK's FCA faces backlash over plan to 'name and shame'

companies under investigation

- UK Conservative Party lawmaker Mark Menzies to step down

at UK general election

- Blackstone bid for Hipgnosis receives backing from board

- International hotel chains step up plans to expand in

Europe

Overview

- Britain's top financial regulator is facing a fierce

backlash from the government and City executives over its plan

to "name and shame" companies under investigation more

frequently and at a much earlier stage.

- British Conservative Party lawmaker Mark Menzies will step

down at the general election expected later this year after the

party said the MP's conduct fell "below the standards" expected

of him following allegations he misused campaign funds.

- Blackstone has won the backing of Hipgnosis Songs

Fund's ( HPGSF ) board as the US private equity group seeks to

derail Concord Chorus's proposed $1.4 billion takeover of the

UK-listed music rights investment company.

- Holiday Inn owner InterContinental Hotels Group ( IHG )

and Marriott ( MAR ) both set out plans this week to add

hundreds of existing hotels across Europe to their brands to

field a surge in holidaymakers from a post-pandemic travel boom.

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)