A US congressional committee has slammed a decision by the United Nations to extend four contracts with Compass Group division ESS.

The House of Representatives International Relations Committee is angry that deals in Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, and Ethiopia and Eritrea will be extended to July because ESS was suspended as a registered contractor by the UN last October.

This followed an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the awarding of a food and water deal in Liberia.

A committee spokesman said: "We will be seeking from the UN some justification for its startling and inexplicable decision."

Compass said the contracts had been extended to provide continuity and that the UN did so only because it was happy with the service provided.

By Tom Bill

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.