Security blunders hit G4S's own AGM as investors are left unable to access key corporate documents

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A blunder by G4S left its own investors unable to access key corporate documents at the security giant’s annual meeting yesterday.

G4S beefed-up security for the protest-riddled event by banning electronic gadgets from the hall at London’s ExCel Centre.

But it did not warn shareholders beforehand, or provide hard copies of its annual report – with shareholders complaining they could not ask detailed questions.

Security: G4S left its own investors unable to access key corporate documents at its AGM

‘My tablet was taken away from me so I can’t look at the report,’ shareholder Peter Reese said, adding he was surprised there were no hard copies available.

When chairman John Connolly asked if any investors needed a copy of the report, more than a quarter of those attending raised their hands.

Clearly taken aback, Connolly admitted: ‘It looks like we have made a little mistake there.’

A G4S employee was dispatched, returning with a box of reports with only a few minutes remaining of the two-hour meeting.

It is a further embarrassment for the firm that bungled its London Olympic Games contract in 2012.

During an occasionally heated meeting, the company’s board was grilled over its explanation for deaths that happened in G4S facilities and controversial contracts it holds in Israel.

The event was fraught with protests and on several occasions shareholders were ejected.

Chief executive Ashley Almanza praised his staff’s efforts.

Some 3 per cent of investors refused to back pay awards. G4S shares fell by 3.2p to 293.8p.