CMA fines M&J Group and staff £50k for hiding evidence in inspection
The Competition and Markets Authority on September 24, 2026 fined construction firm M&J Group £25,000 and two employees £25,000 combined for concealing a work mobile phone and paperwork during a warrant inspection in a bid-rigging probe, the CMA and BBC reported. The CMA said the penalties are its first civil penalties against individuals for concealing evidence and are separate from the ongoing competition investigation. The items were returned the same day.
Text (GOV.UK / Competition and Markets Authority) → · BBC News
Key points
- CMA fined M&J Group £25,000, Barry Pirrie £20,000 and Tracey Woods £5,000 for concealment during an inspection.GOV.UK / Competition and Markets Authority
- Staff removed a work mobile and paperwork; Pirrie falsely said he had no work mobile.GOV.UK / Competition and Markets Authority
- Items were returned later the same day; penalties concern investigative non-compliance, not a bid-rigging finding.GOV.UK / Competition and Markets Authority
- CMA described the individual civil penalties as a first for concealing evidence in an investigation.GOV.UK / Competition and Markets Authority
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
BBC News
GOV.UK / Competition and Markets Authority