Government Minister Opens Site Protected By Gangster's Firm

Feb 24 2008 Exclusive by Mark Aitken, Political Editor

A GOVERNMENT minister launched a housing project - guarded by a notorious gangland security firm.

Controversial M&M Security will protect the £24million building blueprint unveiled last week by communities minister Stewart Maxwell.

A frontman for the company, owned by the McGovern crime clan, once bragged the initials stood for "murder and mayhem" while being secretly filmed.

The letters really stand for founder Paul McGovern and George Madden, though the latter has since quit.

The firm were also accused by Tom Buchan, of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, of having "improper" links to "big-time criminals".

But they have been awarded the contract to protect publicly funded building sites in Petershill and Balornock in the north of Glasgow.

Maxwell helped Glasgow Housing Association unveil plans for 239 rental homes.

The building work will be carried out by CCG, who gave M&M the contract.

McGovern, 34, was 16 when he was jailed for stabbing a janitor to death.

In 2001, the Sunday Mail revealed McGovern's firm were guarding the school where his victim used to collect his wages.

SNP Glasgow list MSP Sandra White said: "I am surprised Glasgow Housing Association, who receive millions of pounds of public money, haven't looked into the background of this firm.

"Contracts should not be given to firms that are a front for criminal activy."

AGHA statement said: "It is standard practice across the industry for contractors to arrange their own security."

Alastair Wylie, of CCG, said: "All the companies we deal with are regulated by the Security Industry Authority."