Other masons distance themselves from South Portico

Two other masonry companies have been working on the Great Court Scheme at the British Museum -- Grants of Shorditch, London, and St Blaise, based in Dorchester.

They are, unsurprisingly, keen to distance themselves from the South Portico controversy.

Both companies\' contracts are of higher value than Easton\'s (Grants was £5million and St Blaise\'s £3million) and they both say the scandal is rubbing off on them in spite of them having carried out their work in strict accordance to the contract and to the highest standards.

Grants have been fixing Spanish stone to what was the famous round reading room of the British Library and laying French limestone paving in the court. All as chosen by the architects with the source of the stones out in the open before work began.

Grants have also carried out some work in Portland stone and all the stone used in the repair and restoration work carried out by St Blaise has been Portland.