Bid-rigging: departure of OFT director will not affect investigation

Contractors have been assured that the departure of the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) executive director Sean Williams will have no impact on its investigations into the construction industry.

Williams, who has come under criticisms for his handling of a number of high-profile investigations, will be replaced by chief executive John Fingleton.

Despite claims that Williams’ departure will leave the OFT in a state of flux at its most critical time, an OFT spokesman denied the announcement would have any impact on the department’s investigations into the construction industry, after it alleged that 112 construction firms were involved in bid-rigging activities.

The OFT said there had been no further movement on its investigations since the release of its Statement of Objections to the 112 firms last month. It remains unclear how many of the companies involved have already responded to the department.

The OFT told CJ that it doesn’t expect to publish its findings until next year.