The following is a statement by the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson about Liverpool International Music Festival and G4S
“Following representations made to me at the meeting of the city council’s Cabinet last week, I have carefully considered the concerns expressed in relation to the engagement of G4S plc in relation to the Liverpool International Music Festival.
” In appointing G4S as our security contractor for the festival, the city council has followed the required legal and formal procurement processes.
“In addressing the issues raised at Cabinet about G4S, I need to make the following points clear.
“A significant amount of planning and preparation has been put into the arrangements for the International Music Festival including working with G4S on the security operation over a period of six months. At this late stage it would not be a responsible course of action, either from a public safety or public money perspective, to withdraw the services of this contractor and look to engage another security provider three weeks before the events take place. This would mean we would have to compensate the company for their loss and then look to engage another company, something we cannot afford to do.
“Equally, I do not propose to cancel the hugely popular festival, enjoyed by many thousands of residents and visitors.
“I have however noted the concerns and had regard to the wider points raised and have therefore asked the Chief Executive to implement a review of our procurement arrangements accordingly.”
