Directors of top QS accused of conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to corrupt and fraudulent trading.
Eight senior staff who worked on the £3.8bn Jubilee Line Extension have been charged with fraud and corruption. They appeared before Bow Street magistrates in central London at 10am on Wednesday.

Among those accused are directors of quantity surveyor RWS, Stephen Rayment and Mark Woodward Smith. Both are charged with conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to corrupt and fraudulent trading. Paul Maw, a former surveyor with RWS, and Thomas Butler, financial controller with RWS, have also been charged with conspiracy to defraud.

The British Transport Police has also brought charges against Anthony Wootton, a claims expert seconded to the project from Surrey-based QS George Skinner & Associates, and Mark Skinner, partner in the firm.

Both are accused of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to receive corrupt benefit.

Two former JLE senior managers also face charges. They were named as Graham Scard, accused of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to receive corrupt benefit, and Paul Fisher, charged with conspiracy to defraud.

The case is the result of a three-year investigation into fraud on the JLE, which was first revealed in Building three years ago.

It is understood that the investigation covers the initial award of a number of JLE contracts, but focused on contracts 205 and 206, won by M&E specialist Drake & Scull. Drake & Scull’s offices were raided by police a year ago and documents relating to its tender were removed.

Insiders said the investigation into Drake & Scull was not concluded. The insider said there was an inquiry into whether the tendering process for contracts 205 and 206 was corrupted and that the matter was still under investigation.

It is understood that a number of people involved in assessing JLE tenders for London Underground later worked for RWS. Drake & Scull used a number of RWS staff on an agency basis during the project.

At the same time, George Skinner & Associates acted as a claims adviser for London Underground on the project and it is understood that police have scrutinised the work they did in assisting on contractor claims on M&E work.

It is also understood that a Drake & Scull manager was arrested last year as part of the investigation, but was not charged. A Drake & Scull spokesperson said: “We are fully aware of the situation but have no comment to make.” George Skinner & Associates and London Underground also declined to comment.

RWS said: “Both Stephen Rayment and Mark Woodward Smith have vigorously protested their innocence throughout this investigation and will continue to defend their reputation, integrity and honesty throughout any proceeding that may follow.”