Drug dealer firm keeps Commonwealth Games contract

Jul 20 2008 By Derek Alexander

A SECURITY firm run by a convicted drug dealer have been allowed to keep a taxpayerfunded Commonwealth Games contract.

Last week we revealed how Gard Security were protecting the site of the 2014 Games' £22million National Indoor Sports Arena and National Velodrome in Glasgow.

The firm is headed by David Faulds, 59, who was jailed for drug offences.

Last week Faulds said his firm had been booted off site by I&H Brown, the Perth firm who are clearing it.

But I&H Brown - who awarded the security contract - have opted to keep Gard, despite knowing Faulds' past.

Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: "This is very concerning for taxpayers and is simply not acceptable.

"The government has got to take greater action in the future to prevent this from happening."

Roger Philpott, I&H Brown contracts director, said: "We've taken everything into consideration and decided to continue with Gard."

Faulds's extended family have convictions for theft, robbery, violence and forgery.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has vowed to prevent security firms run by criminals from cashing in on the Games.

The Security Industry Authority decided to license Faulds and his brother Robert because their convictions were almost 20 years old.