Photo credit Source : inews.co.uk
MPs Call for Review of Fujitsu’s Secret Military Contracts Amid Post Office Scandal Revelations
MPs are urging the Government to review Fujitsu’s secret military contracts after it was revealed that staff who worked on the faulty Post Office IT systems later became involved in a sensitive Ministry of Defence (MoD) project. The investigation, based on interviews with Fujitsu insiders and a UK intelligence source, detailed how the Japanese firm was given a contract to manage thousands of military computers and share classified information with foreign allies.
The project, one of the largest IT projects ever undertaken in the UK, involves controlling around 150,000 computer terminals at more than 2,000 MoD sites, including on Royal Navy ships and in live warfare operations. Two MPs from the Defence Select Committee have called for a review of Fujitsu’s work with the MoD following these revelations.
SNP MP Martin Docherty-Hughes expressed concerns about the government’s procurement of sensitive IT software, stating that the failure to acknowledge Fujitsu’s past issues raises serious questions. Marion Fellows, another SNP MP, called on the government to explain why Fujitsu was awarded the contract despite its role in the Post Office scandal.
Former Armed Forces minister Mark Francois criticized the decision to award Fujitsu the multi-billion-pound contract, especially considering the ongoing public inquiry into the Post Office scandal. The MoD has stated that all contracts are awarded in line with procurement regulations and transparency guidelines.
Fujitsu has apologized to the victims of the Post Office scandal and stated that they will not seek new government contracts during the inquiry. However, a Cabinet Office minister has indicated that the government will still award contracts to Fujitsu if they possess the necessary specialist skills. The call for a review of Fujitsu’s military contracts highlights concerns about the government’s decision-making process and the protection of sensitive information.
