MPs call for tougher action against 'anticompetitive' Google

Tory MP accuses search giant of trying to bury the opposition

The government has been urged to look into allegations of competition law abuse by Google.

The demand came from MPs in a special Commons debate called by Tory MP Dominic Raab, who argued for a voluntary code or legislative action by government and stricter enforcement of competition rules by the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission.

Raab said Google was the subject of a European Commission investigation into allegations that it had manipulated its search engine to the disadvantage of internet marketing business Foundem and others.

And he criticised OFT chief executive John Fingleton for claiming complaints against Google came from competitors concerned that Google was offering a better service.

Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, said it was wrong "to deliberately stack the deck against rivals while pretending to be offering a neutral service", and alleged: "Google is trying to bury the competition."

He was backed by Bracknell Tory MP Phillip Lee, who complained: "We now have Google doing service products like Google News, Google Health and a Google bank. Then we might have a Google dictionary and later on a Google religion."

Culture, Communications and Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey said he was "extremely sympathetic" and promised to meet Foundem's founders, insisting: "There is no reason why an organisation should be exempt from competition rules."

He said the EU Commission investigation "will be effective in establishing whether any of the allegations against Google are true and need a remedy".

He said Google's position is that alternative search methods are just a click away, with 177 UK search engines available. He also praised it for cracking down on sites promoting piracy.

Vaizey also championed the need for net neutrality in terms of networks provided by telecom companies, calling for "an open internet," looking at transparency about speeds and traffic management.

Raab said after the debate: "I welcome the minister's recognition of the problem. Now we need to see the OFT and Ofcom taking abusive behaviour by Google more seriously."