Two firms are latest to admit they are being investiged as part of OFT's probe into the construction industry

Balfour Beatty and Connaught are the latest firms to be caught up in the OFT’s probe of the construction industry.

Both companies revealed this morning that they had been contacted by the OFT in connection with its investigation into alleged bid rigging in the industry. Earlier this week, Kier, ROK and Galliford Try confirmed that they had been contacted as part of the investigation, which is believed to include 150 companies.

In a statement, Balfour Beatty said: “As a result of OFT enquiries in February 2006, Balfour Beatty undertook a full review of the Group's compliance with the Competition Act. In light of this, in the first half of 2006, Balfour Beatty provided information to the OFT and has continued to offer it its full cooperation.”

A Connaught statement said: “Connaught has been contacted by the OFT in relation to a small number of tenders in one of its subsidiary companies dating back to 2000. The tenders represent a very small proportion of the bidding activity of the group during the period and bear no relation to the current operating business.”

Topics