Ikea 'paid for secret police files on customers who complained'
Furniture giant Ikea paid for secret police files to spy on 'complaining' customers and 'suspicious' staff at stores in France, it was claimed today. - The Swedish company paid private security firms to carry out checks on criminal records and links to political groups on more than 200 people, it is alleged. Customers involved in legal action with Ikea and employees highlighted as 'suspicious' were all targeted in the scandal which began in 2003, it was reported today. France's Canard Enchaine newspaper said it had uncovered email showing bosses paid £70 each for the reports taken from a national French police database.The paper said: 'Questions were asked about more than 200 people, including requests for criminal records, vehicle registration checks and affiliations with political organisations. 'Ikea's head of security authorised payments of 80 euros for each check carried out.