The majority of the Unite Executive Council are disappointed that the High Court today ruled that Andy Green had not been removed under rule as the chair of the Unite EC by a majority vote of the EC.
The court’s decision today provided clarification on one question agreed to be asked on a silent rule on the removal of the Chair of the Unite EC. The court did not give an opinion of the governance and financial transparency issues raised by the majority of the EC in evidence presented to the court, which are genuine concerns that led to the EC vote to remove Andy Green as the chair.
We continue to have extremely serious concerns about the unchecked use of members’ money, the lack of financial transparency, and the authoritarian manner in which the union is being run which has left the union is in a state of paralyses.
We reiterate our call for full financial transparency and for the immediate full publication of all unpublished accounts from 2021 and for the independent report concerning the building of the Birmingham Hotel which has been promised to be published for over two years. We call for this report to be published immediately.
We take this opportunity to thank all the courageous members, activists, reps, and staff and officers who have and still continue to support us in our attempt to reassert democratic control and accountability of our great union.
Todays ruling does not alter our governance and scrutiny responsibilities as Executive Council members, and we will continue to stand up for lay member democracy in our union.
We are committed to upholding trade union values and principles and will continue to provide challenges where necessary and make no apologies for doing so.
