Microsoft's track record of anti-competitive practices could disqualify the software giant from bidding for public contracts, according to MEPs.

In February the European Commission fined Microsoft €899m (£681m) after the company failed to comply with demands to make its software more open to competitors.

Green MEP Caroline Lucas has raised the issue in the European Parliament.

“I would like to know whether or not the Commission will exclude Microsoft from public procurement and use alternative companies to fulfil future technology contracts,” said Lucas.

Lucas's objections are based around two laws.

Article 93 of the EU's Financial Regulations stipulates that bidders who are guilty of serious misconduct and have been convicted by the courts should be excluded from procurement procedures.

And article 45 of the EU procurement directive stipulates that companies with legal judgments against them can be excluded from the award of public contracts.