Sean Clerkin of Citizens United, was joined by Iain MacInnes from the Glasgow against Atos group, and spoke in front of the Public Petitions Committee at the Scottish Parliament.

Clerkin claimed more than 2,000 people have died going through the controversial "Work Capability Assessment" process used by Atos, while also claiming 600,000 people in Britain, including 60,000 in Scotland, have had their disability benefits taken off them as a result of the assessment procedure used by the French company.

Atos, a worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner since 1992, were announced as a sponsor of Glasgow 2014 two years ago.

Since then Clerkin, along with a number of other campaign groups have been outspoken in their criticism of the company and organised protests around the London 2012 Paralympics while plans are also in place to demonstrate during this year's Commonwealth Games, due to take place from July 23 to August 3.

Atos, which employs 1,500 people in Scotland, is contracted by the British Government to carry out "fit for work" assessments as part of a multi-million pound contract with the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP).

Despite the protests and the online petitions opposing Atos' involvement at the last Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, both London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven defended the firm's involvement in the Games.

Campainers say that more protests are planned for the duration of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ©AFP/Getty Images



In a statement to insidethegames today, Glasgow 2014 reiterated its support for Atos, who are set to supply software to accredit up to 50,000 athletes, officials, media representatives and volunteers, plus results systems, medal tables and the Games website.

"An important consideration for us is how a sponsor will contribute to the mission and ambitions of Glasgow 2014 and we are confident in the positive role Atos will play in helping us deliver an athlete centred and sports focused Commonwealth Games," said the statement.

"Atos' business technologists, based in Scotland, will work with their major events team in Barcelona and will provide an end-to-end service including the Games Management System (GMS), the Games Information System (GIS) and the Internet Results Service (IRS).

"These systems are critical to the delivery of any major Games and require significant specialist expertise, for which Atos is world-renowned."

Following his deposition to the Committee, Clerkin expressed his disappointment, that apart from the convener David Stewart, no MSPs asked any questions about the petition.

The Committee agreed to continue the petition and write to a number of organisations including the DWP, Atos and the Scottish Government.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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