Bid-rigging: Carillion, Kier, ISG respond to OFT accusations

Some of the biggest names implicated in the OFT bid-rigging investigation into construction have issued their responses.

Carillion, ISG and Henry Boot have all said that they have been granted leniency by the OFT after cooperating with its investigation. Balfour Beatty confirmed that it had been granted leniency earlier today.

Carillion has said that the OFT Statement of Objections (SO) relates to two Mowlem offices, which were visited by the OFT in March 2006, shortly after Mowlem's acquisition by Carillion.

The Carillion statement also said: "The SO does not involve any other business within the Carillion Group, including the recently acquired Alfred McAlpine operations."

ISG said that Pearce Construction, acquired by ISG as part of the Pearce Group, was one of the 112 firms listed by the OFT. It added: "ISG [has] secured indemnities against any potential financial liability that this company could incur from the outcome of this situation." Another ISG acquisition, Propencity, is also on the OFT list.

Henry Boot said that it had "fully cooperated" with the OFT and that "its tender processes are now fully compliant with the Competition Act 1998".

A Kier statement said: "Kier Group is digesting the contents of the OFT statement, but believes that at this stage it would be inappropriate to comment further."