Contractor accused of hiding evidence is fined

2 hours ago

Matthew LockwoodBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

News image — Twelve building companies are being investigated by the UK competition watchdog over suspected "bid-rigging" on contracts for school repairs

PA Media A construction worker in a hard hat and orange safety vest stands outside the brick building of a school, holding a long pole while working on or inspecting the exterior window frames. Several large windows reflect the surroundings, and scaffolding or support bars are positioned across them. — Twelve building companies are being investigated by the UK competition watchdog over suspected "bid-rigging" on contracts for school repairs

A construction company being investigated by the UK's competition watchdog over suspected bid-rigging on contracts for school repairs has been fined.

In June, Bedfordshire-based M&J Group (Construction & Roofing) Ltd was named by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) alongside 11 other firms as part of an ongoing inquiry.

The CMA said the company attempted to conceal mobile phones and documents during an inspection in December 2024, breaching its "clear instructions".

On Thursday, the government regulator said the firm and two members of staff had been fined a total of £50,000.

The watchdog said their actions "wasted valuable investigative time and resource" and risked "the loss of relevant information".

Suspected bid-rigging is being investigated, involving roofing and construction contracts awarded to schools and other organisations.

The contracts include projects funded through the Department for Education's (DfE) Condition Improvement Fund, which provides millions of pounds each year for school building repairs and improvements.

"Trying to conceal evidence from CMA investigators is against the law and wastes time, money and resource," said a spokesperson.

"These fines show that businesses and individuals who obstruct our investigations can expect to be held to account."

Google The M&J Group (Construction & Roofing) Ltd warehouse. The building is constructed from red-brown brick with dark grey metal cladding along the warehouse section. There are clouds above. — M&J Group (Construction & Roofing) Ltd was fined £25,000

During the inspection, the CMA said M&J's estimating director, Barry Pirrie, instructed M&J's office manager, Tracey Woods, to remove a work mobile phone and paperwork from the company's premises to prevent the evidence from being found by CMA investigators.

Pirrie also falsely told CMA officers that he did not have a work mobile phone.

The items were brought back and handed over later that day.

Pirrie was fined £20,000, Woods £5,000 and M&J £25,000. The CMA imposed the penalties under the Competition Act 1998.

The BBC has approached M&J and the DfE for a response.

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