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Tipper 'bribes' claim

17th October 1996
Page 10
Page 10, 17th October 1996 — Tipper 'bribes' claim
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Avon police are investigating claims that a Balfour Beatty construction manager demanded backhanders from tipper drivers before allowing them to deliver stone for work on the Second Severn Crossing.

The news comes as a Bristol industrial tribunal reserved judgement after hearing claims that Balfour Beatty unfairly sacked Michael Harrington for alleged bribery.

Avon police this week confirmed that it is "aware" of the investigation and is talking to Balfour Beatty about the incident. Balfour Beatty declines to comment, saying that "the allegations are subject to a police investigation". Last week Harrington told a Bristol industrial tribunal that he was unfairly and wrongly dismissed over bribery claims. The witnesses made up stories about bribes, he said, because they thought it would help them win more contracts.

But Balfour Beatty told the tribunal it sacked Harrington after a five-month investigation that ended with it ordering its consultants to pass on their findings to Avon police. Balfour's security advisor, Roy Donovan, told the tribunal that he interviewed 30 witnesses.

No date has been set for the release of a decision, but the tribunal confirms that it has finished hearing evidence.


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