London keeps ‘damning’ report from Lamont

Unite probe centres on troubled Falkirk

SCOTTISH Labour’s governi ng body has not been given a report, described as “pretty damning”, into allegations of membership irregularities in its biggest trades union affiliate and donor, Unite.

The dossier, which focuses on the way Unite signed up dozens of new members in Falkirk, is in the possession of the UK party and has not been shared with Labour’s Scottish Executive Committee (SEC).

Labour have recently been at war with Unite over their attempts to help Karie Murphy secure the party candidacy for the Falkirk seat, triggered by the departure of sitting MP Eric Joyce.

Unite controversially recruited up to 100 “new members” last year,, some of whom were said to have received membership cards without agreeing to join.

Labour halted the selection process and launched an investigation which uncovered membership irregularities and led to “new members” signed up after March 12 last year being barred from voting.

Union general secretary Len McCluskey denounced the decision and, in a letter to Unite members in Falkirk, threatened Labour with legal action.

“Let me make it clear that at all times we have operated fully within party rules and have acted just as the party wishes us to do in recruiting more members to Labour. We will not let your conduct be called into question.”

However, although Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont helped establish the probe, the party north of the Border have been virtual bystanders.

The investigation was conducted by UK Labour and the final report seen by the National Executive Committee office-bearers. However, the SEC has not been given a copy.

A party insider said the handling of the investigation showed that “London is now back in charge” while another source said of the report: “It is pretty damning.”

Meanwhile, senior party members in Falkirk have reacted with anger