UK competition regulator probing Mitie over govt contract

Britain's competition regulator has launched a probe into government contractor Mitie Group over possible law breaches involving contracts for immigrant removal centres.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Friday said the investigation involved Mitie Group, Mitie Care and Custody Ltd. and PAE Inc. The probe is looking at potential anticompetitive conduct in relation to the government's procurement processes for the contracts at the Heathrow and Derwentside Immigration Removal Centers.

Mitie said it withdrew from the Derwentside tender process, without submitting a bid, due to the Home Office's 'lotting' conditions, which would have prevented a single bidder from winning both contracts.

The company confirmed it was still engaged in the Heathrow tender process, through Mitie Care and Custody Limited.

"Mitie strongly condemns anti-competitive practices and is co-operating fully with the CMA and the investigation. Mitie is confident that it has no case to answer and will be fully exonerated," the company said on Friday.