It DID happen in Scotland (in Cumbernauld, in fact).
This can and does happen in Scotland. A sale has two stages: missives and disposition. In Scotland, the sale is fixed when missives are concluded (3-4 weeks from offer). An offer (my offer) is conditional on all sorts of esciting things, such as reports from the local coal authority being in order and paperwork for any extensions etc being inspected. ANY offer, ANYwhere, can be rejected while there are conditions outstanding in the missives. Until these are resolved anyone can walk away without penalty (afterwards it can be done but the penalty is usually the cost of re-marketing). In England, gazumping can (I think) happen at any time.
This can and does happen in Scotland. A sale has two stages: missives and disposition. In Scotland, the sale is fixed when missives are concluded (3-4 weeks from offer). An offer (my offer) is conditional on all sorts of esciting things, such as reports from the local coal authority being in order and paperwork for any extensions etc being inspected. ANY offer, ANYwhere, can be rejected while there are conditions outstanding in the missives. Until these are resolved anyone can walk away without penalty (afterwards it can be done but the penalty is usually the cost of re-marketing). In England, gazumping can (I think) happen at any time.