Moves to stop criminals winning public contracts

ORGANISED criminals who use legitimate businesses as a front could be prevented from winning public contracts under new proposals.

Under the plans, any public sector body awarding major contracts would be able to check with the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency whether firms tendering for the work have links to serious organised crime groups.

Such groups often use legitimate businesses as a front, giving them the opportunity to tender for contracts.

The proposal will be discussed by the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce tomorrow.