MacAskill pledges Games crackdown on crimelords

May 4 2008

ROGUE security firms will be stopped from cashing in on the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill vowed yesterday.

MacAskill spoke out to quell fears that crimelords will land lucrative contracts to guard Games construction sites in Glasgow.

Since last November, every security firm boss and frontline employee has needed a Security Industry Authority licence to operate in Scotland.

But a loophole in the laws allow the crooks to operate as normal by calling themselves "consultants" while putting clean front men on company documents.

Last week, we revealed double murder suspect Andy Cairns' links to Fortress Security (Scotland) Ltd, who rake in taxpayers' cash guarding local authority sites.

Wealso told how M&M Security - run by convicted murderer Paul McGovern - was guarding a £24million Glasgow Housing Association development.

If the loophole isn't closed, MSPs fear crooks could win contracts for major projects such as a new national indoor sports arena and cycling complex at Parkhead.

MacAskill said: "The Scottish government recognise there may be gaps in the regulatory regime.

"We are working with the Home Office and SIA to plug those gaps.

"I have made clear the Scottish government are not prepared to see legitimate Scottish businesses undermined by the gangsters involved in organised crime."