G4S probed by UK watchdog over West Bank security contracts

G4S is being investigated by a UK Government-funded watchdog over the supply of security equipment to the West Bank and Israel.

The National Contact Point (NCP), a part of the Department for Business, said it had “accepted issues for further examination” into the British company’s actions in the area.

G4S supplies and services security and screening equipment to military checkpoints, prisons and detention centres in occupied Palestinian territories.

Following a complaint by Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR), the NCP will look at whether the human rights of Palestinians have been breached by G4S.

G4S, which employs 6,000 people in Israel, denies the allegations, saying they are politically-motivated.

In the complaint document released by the NCP, G4S said it services and maintains baggage scanners and metal detectors at checkpoints, as well as security cameras in prisons. The group added that it has “developed its detailed human rights policy”.

G4S has already said it will not renew its contracts in the region when they expire next year.

LPHR director Tareq Shrourou said: "We welcome this initial assessment and the NCP's acknowledgement that there are serious issues raised by our complaint which warrant further examination.

"We look forward to further engaging with G4S as the matter proceeds and hope that the process will contribute to a positive transformation of the human rights situation for Palestinians adversely impacted by the company's activities."

The probe comes just a week after Microsoft founder Bill Gates sold down his stake in G4S after his foundation, which works to tackle poverty around the world, drew criticism for G4S’s actions on the West Bank.

G4S did not return calls for comment on the NCP investigation.