To Unite Executive Members and Representatives of Unite Employees.
From Len McCluskey.
I have had sight of communication sent by Sarah Carpenter on behalf of the General Secretary to all Unite employees, containing a BBC link reporting on charges of misconduct and conspiracy brought by Merseyside Police against 12 people.
She states that Flanagans are amongst those charged and that they were the contractors for the Birmingham complex, and “had links with the previous leadership”
This is quite despicable and the worse form of ‘guilt by association’
The Liverpool enquiry has nothing to do with Unite or the Birmingham Project and to conflate the two in this manner is reprehensible.
To further try to use the ‘no smoke without fire’ innuendo about links with the previous Leadership is below contempt.
A leadership incidentally that gave Sharon 100% support during 11 years.
Why there has been constant undermining of my legacy and others over the past two years is beyond me.
A legacy which made Unite the most powerful and most influential Trade Union in the industrial, political and international arena. A legacy that created strong finances making it the richest union in the TUC, enabling the only Trade Union strike fund @ £70 a day. A union that was highly respected throughout Europe and the wider world.
The charges brought in Liverpool against individuals is expected to rumble on till at least 2027, and I would remind Sharon and any spokesperson that innocent until proven guilty is still the basis of British Law.
I would also remind her on Birmingham that there is an ongoing police investigation ( 27 months so far) and it should be allowed to run its course.
I have over the last 27 months been approached by the media many times for comment and have given the same reply “There is an ongoing police enquiry, and it would be inappropriate to comment”. I will have a lot to say when the inquiry is over.
It’s a pity those inside Unite don’t adopt the same approach.
It gives me no pleasure in having to send out these communications. But the snide attacks and innuendos about previous leadership involves not only me but others and it needs to stop.