CMA: M&J Estimating Director Falsely Said He Had No Work Mobile Phone
Careful attribution of a specific CMA finding during the warranted inspection.
Last verified: 5 October 2026
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
The penalties described on this website concern failures to comply with CMA investigative requirements during an inspection.
The separate CMA investigation into suspected bid-rigging remains ongoing.
The CMA has expressly stated that no assumption should currently be made that competition law has been infringed.
The CMA said Barry Pirrie falsely told its officers that he did not have a work mobile phone.
This is a narrow, specific finding. The CMA found that, during the warranted inspection of M&J Group's premises, Pirrie stated that he did not have a work mobile telephone. The regulator concluded that this statement was false, because a work mobile phone had been present at the premises and had, according to the CMA, been removed at Pirrie's instruction.
Correct Attribution
Correct:
"The CMA said Barry Pirrie falsely told its officers that he did not have a work mobile phone."
Incorrect (this page does not say):
"Barry Pirrie is dishonest."
This page does not characterise Pirrie's personality. It focuses entirely on the regulator's finding concerning the inspection.
The Penalty
The CMA imposed a £20,000 administrative penalty on Pirrie. The penalty decision was issued on 17 September 2026.
CMA Administrative Penalty Notice — Barry Pirrie, 17 September 2026 [S004]