Official probe begins into Len McCluskey's re-election as Unite boss
3 min read
An official probe has begun into the events surrounding Len McCluskey's re-election as general secretary of Unite.
The Certification Officer, the trade union watchdog, had its first hearing into complaints by Mr McCluskey's rival, Gerard Coyne, that Unite's rules were broken during the contest.
Mr Coyne claims that the left-wing veteran - a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn - continued to carry out his general secretary functions despite tendering his resignation in 2016 in order to spark the election.
His lawyers also claim that Mr Coyne was "subjected to harassment and intimidation", culminating in his sacking as Unite's regional secretary for the West Midlands shortly after polls closed in the contest in April last year.
Mr McCluskey won by 59,067 votes to 53,544, a majority of just 5,523 on a 12.2% turnout.
If the Certification Officer finds in Mr Coyne's favour, he can overturn last year's result and order a re-run.
Mr Coyne said: “Unite the Union belongs to its members, and members should be allowed to elect a General Secretary in a contest run according to the rules, in which each candidate is given a fair chance.
"That did not happen last year. This was an election called by Len McCluskey, largely stage managed by Len McCluskey, for the benefit of Len McCluskey – and which he won only by a very narrow margin.
"It is very regrettable that we should have to ask the Certification Officer to intervene in a union election, but I believe that it is the only way to ensure that the rights of Unite members and its rules are properly respected."
The outcome of the inquiry is potentially hugely significant for the Labour party, given Mr McCluskey's closeness to the leadership.
If he were to be ousted and replaced with Mr Coyne, who is on Labour's moderate wing, it could tip the balance of the party's national executive council away from Mr Corbyn and his supporters.
A Unite spokesman said the union welcomed the opportunity to argue its case that "its rules and democracy were upheld".
"Of course it is not uncommon for defeated candidates in an election to seek to challenge the outcome,” they added.
“It is important to understand however that decisions to date by the independent bodies concerned with the election have supported the union’s stance.
"The complaints of Mr Coyne have been considered and dismissed by the Independent Election Commissioner and the Independent Returning Officer.
“In a related Employment Tribunal case Mr Coyne's application for an Interim Relief order was dismissed and the tribunal firmly favoured the position of the union, not being satisfied on any applicable legal standard that Mr Coyne was dismissed for the reasons he stated.
"Unite is confident the Certification Officer will also find much as the Employment Tribunal, Independent Election Commissioner and the Independent Returning Officer have all found, and dismiss the allegations."
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