好色先生TV

The Competition and Markets Authority has told those demolition firms who have admitted their involvement in bid-rigging that they will find out how much they will be fined by January.

In all, 10 firms were found guilty of bid-rigging, with seven of the 10 also accused of making and receiving 鈥榗ompensation payments鈥�.

But two, Essex contractor Squibb Group and Erith, currently working on the demolition of 120 Fleet Street in the City of London, are contesting the provisional findings announced in June.

An announcement on the pair鈥檚 fate had been expected this month with the amount individual firms told to pay in fines also due to be disclosed at the same time, along with the CMA鈥檚 definitive findings on the investigation as well.

The cartel-buster said over the summer it was hoping to make public the levels of penalties this month.

But 好色先生TV understands those eight firms which have acknowledged their involvement have now been told the decision will not be made for several more weeks.

One said: 鈥淲e received a standard notification, telling us the decision will be December or January. That鈥檚 all we鈥檝e been told.鈥�

Another added: 鈥淚 can鈥檛 see it being before Christmas. I think it will be the new year so the CMA can get maximum publicity. I don鈥檛 know what the hold-up is about but I can guess.鈥�

>>See also: Cartel probe leaves demolition sector to recover reputation - and count the cost

Squibb has previously said it had 鈥渁 high degree of confidence that the CMA will take [its] submissions/concerns seriously鈥�. Erith has not publicly commented on the CMA鈥檚 findings or its decision to contest them. Both were found guilty of bid-rigging and making or receiving compensation payments.

The CMA declined to comment but it is understood its case team is still 鈥渃onsidering representations鈥� from affected firms. Under a timetable on its website, it said it had earmarked the weeks between June and November this year as a period for 鈥渞eceipt and consideration of representations on the statement of objections鈥�.

So far, five firms have publicly said what the investigation is expected to cost them in penalties.

Careys has put the figure at 拢9m, Keltbray 拢6m while McGee, which along with Careys 鈥渞eported their involvement in the conduct under the CMA鈥檚 leniency policy鈥�, has said it expects the number to be no more than 拢2.4m.

John F Hunt has gone further, saying in its report and accounts filed at the end of May, that the 鈥�investigations have now been settled with the liability agreed at 拢5.6m鈥�. And Cantillon owner Morrisroe said in August the cost of its involvement with the bid-rigging probe could hit close to 拢2m.