Airport Security Firm's Link To Crook

Mar 9 2008 By Norman Silvester

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A TAXI firm linked to a fraudster has won a s2million contract to improve Glasgow Airport security.

Inverclyde Taxis will supply radios to 155 vehicles operating from the airport.

The Greenock firm will monitor taxi movements and relay the information to police and security chiefs.

They won the highly lucrative contract despite links to the town's Easdale family, headed by convicted fraudster Sandy.

The 39-year-old scrap metal merchant is not listed as a director of Inverclyde Taxis but his wife Gail, 40, has been for the last six years.

Easdale's mother Christine and brother James, 36, are directors of Inverclyde's parent company Arranglen.

Inverclyde was awarded the contract following a security review after last year's failed terror attack which decided each car's position should be pinpointed.

The 155 drivers will each pay the firm s60-a-week - s3120-ayear - to operate from the airport forecourt.

That will rake in s483,600-a-year - more than s1.9million over the four-year contract.

Sandy Easdale was jailed for 27 months in 1997 for his part in a VAT scam selling stolen computer parts. A judge ruled he made s1.5m from the con.

When we tried to contact Easdale at Inverclyde's office we were told he was unavailable. Boss Henry Glasgow said he has no involvement with the firm.

An airport spokesman said: "Inverclyde was chosen as they offered the best service."