黑洞社区

An individual connected to the Laing O鈥橰ourke and Costain joint venture building the 拢250m upgrade of London鈥檚 Farringdon station has been arrested as part of an ongoing fraud probe into the project, it has emerged.

As 黑洞社区 revealed in April, British Transport Police have arrested four people in connection with a fraud inquiry over alleged corruption in the procurement of rail construction contracts in London.

Network Rail confirmed to 黑洞社区 that the inquiry is centred on its upgrade of Farringdon station for Thameslink, with the investigation leading to the arrest of three senior figures at London-based subcontractor Alandale Group.

It is now understood that these three are part of Alandale Rail, a subsidiary of 拢42m-turnover Alandale Group, while the fourth person arrested is connected to the Laing O鈥橰ourke and Costain joint venture. This week the British Transport Police confirmed the arrested individuals were interviewed again by police last month and have been re-bailed until the autumn. They added that no charges have been laid and the investigation is continuing.

Costain declined to comment when asked about the arrest.

Laing O鈥橰ourke said: 鈥淭his is a matter for the British Transport Police and any queries should be directed to them.鈥�

Alandale Rail is a preferred supplier to the Costain and Laing O鈥橰ourke joint venture, as well as to Network Rail and the London Underground.

In a statement, John Zayya, director of Alandale Rail, said the firm was taking the allegations 鈥渆xtremely seriously鈥� and had launched an internal investigation.

He said: 鈥淰ery few details have been released to Alandale Rail in respect of the investigation that is currently being conducted by the British Transport Police.

鈥淭hose employees who have been interviewed have co-operated fully with the investigation. There is absolutely no evidence that I have found to date that any employee of Alandale Rail has ever been involved with (or knows of any person involved with) any criminality being investigated.

鈥淚 can also firmly state that these allegations are totally refuted by our employees and Alandale Rail Ltd will continue to assist the police with their investigation.鈥�

Alandale Group, which has construction and logistics divisions as well as a rail arm, has worked on a number of high profile projects, including the London 2012 Olympic velodrome and the broadcasting and media centres, as well as the 拢920m Paradise Street development in Liverpool.