Government says Kingsway tunnel tender awarded to Calpe Electrical was fully transparent

The Government says the process that led to Calpe Electrical being awarded the maintenance tender for Kingsway Tunnel was carried out with full transparency.

It says the process adhered strictly to procurement regulations - accusing the GSD of making unfounded accusations and misrepresenting the facts.

Number Six says all criteria for the Kingsway Tunnel maintenance tender were set out in advance and published, and that bids were evaluated by a panel of senior public servants, with no involvement by ministers.

It says the winning bid showed value for money - as the competing bid, from Sheriff Group Limited, was over six hundred thousand pounds more than that submitted by Calpe Electrical.

The Government says the panel considered Calpe's past performance, including its responsibility for the power outage in April.

It says the company satisfied the board that corrective measures had been taken to address any shortcomings, adding it had provided a "high-quality service" during its years as the incumbent contractor.

The Government also says an investigation by the Electricity Authority had found "a pre-existing weakness" in the power cable that was cut through by Calpe - which, it says, contributed to the delay in restoring power.

The Chief Minister says the GSD is either failing to understand the facts or deliberately attempting to distort them.

Fabian Picardo accuses the Opposition of undermining public confidence in a lawful and professionally-run process, while "casting unfair aspersions on the integrity of the civil servants who have carried it out with complete independence".