Latest news with #Unite
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Len McCluskey's rank incompetence is finally being exposed
I've a rule of thumb which, over the past decade, has pretty much always proved correct. Find an ally of Jeremy Corbyn – especially one who spent most of the former Labour leader's period in office arguing that the party's anti-Semitism crisis was made up by his opponents – and you'll find that, sooner or later, something else emerges which casts doubt on what we might call their status as an upstanding member of society. Step forward Len McCluskey, former head of Unite. Yesterday an internal union dossier, based on a report by a KC, was revealed to have found that he took flights on private planes and tickets to see his team, Liverpool FC, play in the 2018 and 2019 Champions League finals in Kyiv and Madrid. The flights and tickets were, according to the report, provided by the same company which was building a multi-million pound hotel and conference centre in Birmingham for the union. They were, the report says, 'consistently organised and paid for by' the Flanagan Group, with 'no indication' that McCluskey ever reimbursed the company. McCluskey had called the company's bosses 'good friends'. The project is currently the subject of an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. According to the dossier, the Flanagan Group overcharged Unite by at least £30 million. The report also alleges that McCluskey 'overruled' staff and the union's lawyers when he signed the contract with the Flanagan Group. Construction lawyer, Martin Bowdery KC was commissioned by McCluskey's successor at Unite, Sharon Graham, to investigate the circumstances around the hotel project. According to the leaked report, he found that there was 'no competitive tendering process', that the Flanagan Group had 'a history of poor performance, delays… and cost overruns on previous contracts' and that Unite spent 'at least' £72 million more than the hotel and conference centre project was worth. The original estimate for the project was £7 million but by its opening in 2021 Flanagan Group had been paid £96 million for its work. The report says that £30 million of that was overcharging and the company submitted bills 'massively over the original estimates'. In a separate finding, a loan of £400,000 from Unite towards the purchase of a £700,000 flat for McCluskey was said not to have been authorised by the executive committee in advance. In response, McCluskey's lawyers said the former union leader was 'deeply disappointed' by report, which the he claims was issued without any prior reference. The flat loan, according to his lawyers, was made as part of Unite's home equity scheme': 'At all relevant times, this scheme was open to all officers of the union, in recognition of the expectation that most, if not all, of Unite's officers would (at that time) work from the union's central offices in London. We are instructed that the scheme did not require prior approval from the Executive Council on a case-by-case basis.' McCluskey's lawyers' statement said he was unaware of concerns by Unite staff or lawyers when the hotel contract was signed, did not recall signing it and was uninvolved in the selection of the Flanagan Group. They added that he paid for his travel to the football matches in full and travelled on a commercial flight for one, and that when he attended with the Flanagans he paid his way – and did not believe he attended all the domestic matches detailed in Unite's report. One thing is clear from McCluskey's time as leader of Unite: he was a malign influence on British politics. At the time of his friend Jeremy Cobyn's Labour leadership, McCluskey said the anti-Semitism crisis in the Labour Party was 'wildly exaggerated' and that the leaders of the Jewish community had shown 'intransigent hostility and an utter refusal to engage in dialogue', asking that they engage in dialogue before the divide between them and the party became entrenched. McCluskey's support for Corbyn – and the funding that came from his union – empowered and prolonged the former leader's time in office, which not only pushed Labour on a path to its worst ever result in 2019, but which led to the Jewish community fearing for its future in the UK. Whatever comes next for Len McCluskey, Britain is better off that he is now a man of no significance or influence whatsoever.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Union militants kick out Angela Rayner as Birmingham bin war threaten to plunge Labour into another civil war
Unite says it has stripped of her Unite membership after she criticised striking bin workers in Birmingham who left the city a rat-infested mess. Members of the powerful hard left union voted to suspend her at its policy conference in Brighton today over her criticism of the walk out that led to bags of waste piling up in the streets. The union also said it will 're-examine its relationship' with Labour over its refusal to side with workers - a clear threat to pull the millions it gives in funding every year. However there is some debate over whether Ms Rayner is still in Unite and eligible to be suspended. She is understood to have resigned her membership several months ago, though she is still listed as an active member. She urged refuse staff to accept a pay offer in April, saying their strike was 'causing misery and disruption' for residents. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said today that the union would 'call out bad employers regardless of the colour of their rosette'. 'Angela Rayner has had every opportunity to intervene and resolve this dispute but has instead backed a rogue council that has peddled lies and smeared its workers fighting huge pay cuts,' she said. 'The disgraceful actions of the government and a so-called Labour council, is essentially fire and rehire and makes a joke of the Employment Relations Act promises. 'People up and down the country are asking whose side is the Labour government on and coming up with the answer not workers.' It is not the first time Unite has threatened to pull its money when it has not got its way. Bin workers walked out in March over planned pay changes by the cash-strapped city council. Unite said the deal would have included 'substantial' pay cuts for workers and did not address potential pay cuts for 200 drivers. People living in the city say their health suffered from the stench of piling waste while 'cat-sized' rats raided the mounting rubbish outside their homes. Visiting the city in April with Local Government Minister, Jim McMahon, Ms Rayner said: 'The people of Birmingham are our first priority – this dispute is causing misery and disruption to residents and the backlog must be dealt with quickly to address public health risks. 'My department is working with Birmingham City Council to support its response to accelerate clearing the backlog and rapidly improve the situation on the ground. Neighbouring authorities are providing additional vehicles and crews, and we are providing logistical support. 'I have pressed both sides to negotiate at pace to urgently find a resolution. There is now a better offer on the table and I would urge Unite to suspend the action and accept the improved deal so we achieve fairness for both workers and residents of this city.' Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said today that the union would 'call out bad employers regardless of the colour of their rosette'. Earlier this year the Mail revealed this week that Union bosses behind strikes which have left the streets of Birmingham piled high with rotting waste are directing the action from outside of the city - in leafy suburbs with regular bin collections. A Downing Street spokesman said the Government's priority throughout the dispute had 'always' been Birmingham's residents. The strikes have resulted in unsanitary conditions throughout the city, with large piles of rubbish in the streets. The No 10 spokesman also told reporters: 'As you know, Unite's industrial action caused disruption to waste collection. 'We have worked intensively with the council to tackle the backlog and clean up the streets for the residents for public health. 'We remain in close contact with the council and continue to monitor the situation as we support its recovery and transformation 'I think it's important to look back to the context of this dispute: Unite is in dispute against Birmingham City Council's decision to reform unfair staff structures, which were a major cause of unequal pay claims and left the council liable to hundreds of millions of pounds in claims, and that was a key factor cited in the council section 114 notice in 2023, declaring bankruptcy.' Shadow communities secretary Kevin Hollinrake said Ms Rayner 'faces a serious conflict of interest, having accepted thousands of pounds from the Unite union to fund her general election campaign'. He added: 'Unions like Unite rarely offer financial support without expecting something in return — and we're already seeing the consequences in their aggressive demands to dismantle key trade union laws. 'It's time for all Labour ministers and the Labour-led council to take a firm stand against these militant unions. A good place to start would be suspending taxpayer-funded ''facility time'' for Unite while their members are on strike.'
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Labour 'can't win in Scotland' because of North Sea oil and gas ban, warns union chief
Gary Smith, whose union is a major donor to Labour, said "people don't get that energy is an emotional issue in Scotland". Labour will lose next year's Holyrood election because of the UK Government's opposition to new oil and gas developments in the North Sea, a trade union chief has predicted. Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB, said Keir Starmer's party had failed to understand the energy sector was an "emotional issue in Scotland". The UK Government is expected to grant permission for the giant new Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the North Sea to go ahead as they already have licenses approved. But Ed Miliband, the UK Energy Secretary, has repeatedly said no future licenses will be granted by Labour - meaning the North Sea sector will continue to shed jobs over time. Smith, whose union is a major financial donor to Labour, said the party's opposition to oil and gas was a gift to Nigel Farage. "On the current policies, I don't believe that Labour can win in Scotland," the union chief, who lives in Paisley, told the New Statesman. "People don't get that energy is an emotional issue in Scotland. We went hundreds of miles out in this inhospitable sea and built this incredible, groundbreaking energy infrastructure. "If you're on the west coast of Scotland, most people of a certain age have a drop of oil from Sullom Voe because there are so many families who were involved in building that project when they landed the oil in Shetland. This was an emotional story about Scotland. It's important to its sense of self and the economy, and I don't think people have really got that." Asked if he thought Labour would ultimately be forced to rethink its policy, Smith added: "They will have to rethink it because the consequences in terms of energy prices, in terms of national security, in terms of the economy and jobs, are so profound. "What we should be doing is taking a public stake in what is left of the oil and gas sector and using the profits for that sector, or part of them, to invest in a new green future. "We should be talking about North Sea Two, how we're going to collaborate with Norway – not just decarbonising the North Sea, but what comes next. Oil and gas is not the enemy: it's actually the gateway to whatever comes next, and we've got to stop seeing it as a threat.' But Smith said his union was not reconsidering its donations to Labour as a result. It comes after Unite members voted to review its financial relationship with the party. The union chief said: "It's up to Unite what they do. We're not interested in what other unions do. "For us, a relationship with government should be contentious, there should be disagreement and debate. But I'd much rather have a Labour government in power than the alternative. And let's be clear about the Tories – they're done – the alternative is going to be Reform." The Record asked Scottish Labour for comment.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Unions condemn Northamptonshire Reform councils over flag ban
Two unions have criticised a county's Reform UK-led councils over their decision to no longer fly the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag from their North and West Northamptonshire Council's new flag policy dictates that only the union jack, St George's and council flags will be the Royal College of Nursing and Unite said not flying the rainbow flag "undermines efforts to create inclusive, welcoming communities".Defending the flag policy, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson said: "Bring it on. We were elected to deliver change and that's exactly what we're doing." In the unions' joint statement, they said: "This isn't about neutrality - it's about erasure."The Pride flag is a symbol of dignity, respect, and the ongoing fight for equality."It said the flying the flag "during celebrations and key dates shows solidarity".The unions said the council's policy sends "the wrong message to LGBTQ+ residents, staff, and patients across the region".They urged the authorities' leaders to reconsider."We're proud to stand with our LGBTQ+ members and colleagues. We call on local leaders to do the same," they added. In response to the criticism, Anderson said: "Banning the flying of any flag that isn't the union flag is a great first step."He said foreign or Pride flags had "absolutely nothing" to do with running a local a statement, West Northamptonshire Council said it "continues to support all residents... and community-led activities, including providing its support to organising the recent Northampton Pride activities".North Northamptonshire Council said it would fly "other national flags when it is appropriate to do so".It said the policy applied to flagpoles "at our corporate buildings" but not other flag poles across North Northamptonshire. A spokesperson said the authority would be "happy to work with the local community and town and parish councils to raise flags at some locations, where appropriate". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Leftie union boss Len McCluskey took private jet rides from building firm that overcharged Unite by £30m, report reveals
LEFTIE union baron Len McCluskey took private plane flights and football tickets from a building firm, a report reveals. The firm is also said to have overcharged Unite by at least £30million for building a £96million hotel. An internal investigation by the union said the Flanagan Group, run by pals of McCluskey, was handed the job to build the hotel complex in Birmingham without a single rival bid. Sharon Graham, who has since replaced McCluskey as Unite general secretary, hired barrister Martin Bowdery KC in 2021 after she found a £125million black hole in the union's accounts. She told the BBC: 'I was absolutely astounded. It's either rank incompetence, or something else.' The report, seen by the BBC, says McCluskey ignored legal advice and personally signed off the building contract. He later got private flights to two Liverpool Champions League finals on planes arranged and paid for by the Flanagan Group. Unite said there is no evidence he ever paid them back. The report also said he got tickets to five Liverpool matches, four with hospitality. McCluskey's lawyers told the BBC he paid for his own travel in full and always paid for his football tickets. They claim he does not recall signing the main contract and denies overruling anyone. The hotel ended up swallowing £125million of Unite cash and is now worth just £38million. Union boss Len McCluskey torn apart by voter after defending Corbyn in fiery LBC interview Ms Graham has brought in new auditors, staff and a crackdown on dodgy deals. The Flanagan Group refused to comment but previously claimed the project was 'an exceptional asset'.
