You said you had a job offer AND a contract. Why would they give a contract prior to them contacting referees if the reference check was going to be used to make the decision?
Yes...it was all very strange....they then claimed that the contract was "pending satisfactory references" as the reason for withdrawing it.... But not only did I say no to the free-lance, but I had come over for the intro course!
I will pursue the issue and heading off to the CAB now!
Let you know!