BAA censured for ‘interfering’ in break-up probe
27.04.08
Investigators have caught BAA trying to influence consultants advising the Competition Commission inquiry that urged a break-up of the airports group, the Times reports. The newspaper says that the commission has censured BAA, saying it ‘takes any suggestion of interference in the discharge of its functions very seriously’.
In January the Commission held a tender for consultants to advise it on BAA’s plans for a new runway at Stansted. However, part-way through the process, it became concerned ‘that there may have been interference in the tendering and appointment process’. The Commission said: ‘We saw evidence of behaviour that could be interpreted as constituting an interference with the first tender.' It later appointed Alan Stratford & Associates and Gleeds to do the work.
BAA told the commission it was an ‘isolated incident involving one employee,’ which was ‘in no way authorised, encouraged or condoned by senior management’. A spokesman told the Times: ‘BAA regrets that the unauthorised actions of one employee could be perceived as interference in the commission’s appointment of a consultant. We will continue to engage with the commission as it conducts and concludes its market investigation, and have, in agreement with the commission, revised and reissued our internal guidelines.’ He refused to say whether the employee involved had been sacked.
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