SATELLITE broadcaster BSkyB has filed a lawsuit against Electronic Data Systems (EDS) over a scrapped contract to build and run a computer system for two UK call centres.

BSkyB filed a claim in the High Court for material damages from US-based EDS for alleged deceit, negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract.

EDS was asked in the summer of 2000 to design and operate computer systems to handle inquiries at call centres in Livingston and Dunfermline, in Scotland.

But the £60m contract was terminated early in 2002 after BSkyB decided the system would not be delivered as agreed.

The broadcaster took over sole responsibility for development of the system and has invested more than £170m since the middle of 2000.

Another £50m is expected to be invested over the next four years as the computer system becomes fully operational.

EDS also lost out in a bidding war in November for a £3bn computer project to run the Inland Revenue's tax and national insurance systems