Today, they announced that both contracts have been cancelled. A release says that on Friday, quote, "the BAA…secured deeds of release from both of its security service providers, namely Four Diamond Security Limited and ISecurity Limited. This agreement formally concludes all prior contractual obligations between the BAA and both security companies. The BAA nonetheless continues its investigation into the tendering process utilized to award the airport security contracts….and it will take such further steps as may be necessary after the investigation. The BAA also wishes to advise the public that operations continue seamlessly under new arrangements." end quote.

But that's not the tidy conclusion they might wish for - and the release shows little regard for public concerns about two sketchy contracts. First, it says nothing about the more than a million dollars in disbursements already made under the contracts - for which services only started to be delivered in May. Will there be any refunds? Will those funds be clawed back since the contracts were unlawfully signed? Or does the amicable settlement referred to mean that the contractors can keep the money for their trouble - and not sue the BAA? The release is also headlined to say that the resolution comes at no cost to the BAA. We take that to mean no additional cost, since, again, over a million has been paid for which best information says, there has hardly been equivalent value in services.

And, the release refers to "new arrangements" but does not say what those are or if they involve the same two companies that have not proven any qualification or issued a single statement trying to do so?