OK it’s only my blog but I can’t pass
up the chance to publicise the behaviour of The Sunday Times. I am reminded of
the words of the great Irish writer James Joyce who described The Dublin Times
a “The arse wipers weekly”
Statement by Unite the union on the
report today by the Sunday Times
03 November 2013
Today's Sunday Times carries an
extensive attack on Unite the union, apparently based on emails given to the
newspaper by Ineos or its agents. The Sunday Times submitted a list of
questions to Unite yesterday, in response to which the union sent a statement
to reporter David Leppard, well within the deadline he had imposed for receipt
of answers. Not a word was carried in the Sunday Times today.
Attempts to secure an explanation for this from Mr Leppard have been ignored.
We release below the statement sent to Mr Leppard, in order to place Unite's response to the allegations on the record and also to draw attention to the debased standards of journalism now practised at the Sunday Times, little more than a mouthpiece for Lynton Crosby's Tory agenda.
"This report is a rehash of issues already investigated by Police Scotland and the Labour party, both of which found that Unite had done nothing wrong, and had broken neither the law nor the party’s rule book as it stood at the time.
“Specifically, Unite entirely denies any involvement in or knowledge of the forging of signatures on application forms or of any documents whatsoever; the coercing of individuals to join the Labour party – however that might be accomplished; the recruitment of individuals to the party without their knowledge or any other breach of Labour party rules. Unite called for an independent public enquiry into what happened in Falkirk, and we remain entirely happy to assist such an inquiry – and draw appropriate lessons from it if necessary – should one be established.
“Some of the questions submitted, however, appear to relate to conduct by third parties, about which Unite cannot comment. Unite would also point out that once individuals join the Labour party they can involve themselves as much or as little in the party’s business as they choose, but Unite would certainly encourage any of its members to play as full a part in the party’s life as they can.
“On the separate matter of Mr McCluskey’s call to Mr Grant, Unite entirely denies that he used the words cited. Unite has never made any secret of its support for Stevie Deans, nor does it now, but the suggestion that Mr McCluskey was threatening unlawful industrial action is entirely repudiated. It is for Ineos to explain its handling of Mr Deans’ case.”
We release below the statement sent to Mr Leppard, in order to place Unite's response to the allegations on the record and also to draw attention to the debased standards of journalism now practised at the Sunday Times, little more than a mouthpiece for Lynton Crosby's Tory agenda.
"This report is a rehash of issues already investigated by Police Scotland and the Labour party, both of which found that Unite had done nothing wrong, and had broken neither the law nor the party’s rule book as it stood at the time.
“Specifically, Unite entirely denies any involvement in or knowledge of the forging of signatures on application forms or of any documents whatsoever; the coercing of individuals to join the Labour party – however that might be accomplished; the recruitment of individuals to the party without their knowledge or any other breach of Labour party rules. Unite called for an independent public enquiry into what happened in Falkirk, and we remain entirely happy to assist such an inquiry – and draw appropriate lessons from it if necessary – should one be established.
“Some of the questions submitted, however, appear to relate to conduct by third parties, about which Unite cannot comment. Unite would also point out that once individuals join the Labour party they can involve themselves as much or as little in the party’s business as they choose, but Unite would certainly encourage any of its members to play as full a part in the party’s life as they can.
“On the separate matter of Mr McCluskey’s call to Mr Grant, Unite entirely denies that he used the words cited. Unite has never made any secret of its support for Stevie Deans, nor does it now, but the suggestion that Mr McCluskey was threatening unlawful industrial action is entirely repudiated. It is for Ineos to explain its handling of Mr Deans’ case.”
STICK WITH THE UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
22 comments:
Big Len knew nowt, saw nowt and Mr Deans has Unites full support..
That's it then, it's Daft Stevie for the 6 o'clock drop!
Even deploying the famous Kelly Defence....'Some big boys made me do it' won't save him.
Byeck said...Monday, November 04, 2013 1:29:00 pm.
Big Len makes the incontrovertible statement that the police and the Labour Party investigations found no case to answer.
Mr. Deans has been the victim of a vicious witch hunt, similar to that favoured by the late unlamented American Senator for Wisconsin Joseph McCarthy, nice friends you have Mr. Byeck.
I reckon that what has happened here will stiffen his resolve to fight the capitalist system with it's corporate thieves and gangsters even more diligently. Many more will feel the same including me.
So Terry, you stick by the view that no one did any wrong....really ?
From my restricted viewpoint it looks like Mr Deans is being made a scapegoat by all involved. Including Labour and Unite....not to mention the company and the papers.
Maybe we'll see the truth at some point but this blind faith you have that nothing untoward happened seems rather bizarre.
Can you not argue the arguments rather than just attacking the commentators ? In this play who is McCarthy ? Is it big Len or Murdoch or Milliband.....you earlier accused Jack Straw of being anti Union....maybe its him
But Terry you are part of the parasitical Political class yourself....
Terry, Terry, there was no case to answer because someone told porkies.
I see Alistair Darling is now pressing for the enquiry to be re-opened.
Would you put Alistair up there with Jack Straw as a union-basher?
Running Man said...Tuesday, November 05, 2013 8:27:00 am Delete
The Police enquiry and the Labour Party found no case to answer, yet you stick by your belief that someone did do something wrong, my position is a lot stronger than yours I think.
I am lined up on the side of the Union and the Labour Party and you are lined up beside Cameron, Osbourne, The Telegraph, The Daily mail, Murdoch, UKIP and the union hating snp. I'm quite happy thank you. You have chosen your friends and you are all welcome to each other.
Blogger Running Man said...Tuesday, November 05, 2013 3:21:00 pm Delete
Because I am writing this from the sun deck of my yacht in the Bahamas does not mean I am a parasite. What this post means is you are a hidebound idiot and even dumber than the average snp member, a terrible thing to say I know but true nevertheless.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013 3:21:00 pm Delete
Byeck said...Tuesday, November 05, 2013 7:43:00 pm
No one told porkies, that is a scurrilous attack on the professionalism and integrity of the Police and the Labour Party.
Our brave Police officers have a difficult enough job to do without being subjected to undermining by people like you.
I would put Alistair Darling up there as a very experienced and wily politician and you are either being disingenuous or he is simply too wily for you.
Kelly @ 1.20
'No one told porkies!'
Bet that comes back to bite you!
Byeck said...
Kelly @ 1.20Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:17:00 pm.
I know the Police have a chequered history when it comes to investigations but I would have thought you were one of their staunchest supporters.
Goodness me! Mr McLuskey is known to his intimates as 'Lennie.'
That's the equivalent of calling Stalin 'Chuchiface,'...and see how far that gets you! Regretfully, over here, it doesn't even get you the Falkirk nomination.
And I read Mr Straw has moved on from union bashing. He's now into bashing Labours immigration policies.
What with everything going pear-shaped and you being the last man standing, I feel for you, Terrykins, I really do.
Byeck said...Wednesday, November 13, 2013 3:31:00 pm.
The vast majority of people in the world referred to Stalin as uncle Joe, the benevolent old uncle who saved all our lives. The CIA then got to work on the useful idiots with their propaganda and we see the result of that when we read your comments.
The odious Mr. Straw is not the first and won't be the last person to leave the political stage in an undignified manner.
As for me? I'm doing fine, I continue to take succour from the criticism that I draw and the Labour Party have just been reported as having it's biggest lead, 8 points, since March over the Tory/Libdem cabal.
Kelly @ 14.00
Stalin 'the benevolent old uncle....'
And it seems like only yesterday you were claiming never to have expressed like or dislike for the mad bloodthirsty old tyrant...
It wasn't solely the CIA who trashed Stalin's reputation. I doubt the ghosts of the Katyn Forest, or the Gulags, we're very supportive, either
Just wanted to comment on the refusal of your MP friends to vote against the bedroom tax. In addition to the high profile refuseniks (Gordon Brown, Jim Murphy, Dougie Alexander etc.) there was also Pamela Nash. But where was she, what was her excuse?
On her website she defended her refusal to vote by stating:
“I had agreed to speak on the issue of youth unemployment at a conference where participants from across Europe joined to discuss new ways to tackle this scourge.”
Leaving aside the fact that they might have managed without the input of a back bench MP with the pan-European profile of publicity-shy hamster, it’s worth looking in more detail at her contribution.
First of all, she was speaking exactly 31 hours prior to the vote. Even assuming she was returning on a National Express bus, it’s not impossible for her to get back to London on time.
Secondly, the conference at which her input was invaluable was the European Space Policy Institute. Yes SPACE! She represents one of the most deprived constituencies in the country and her priority is rushing off to the other side of Europe to impart her expertise on Space policy.
As one drives through the more deprived parts of Shotts and Airdrie one can’t help reflect that the one thing that her benighted constituents need is a space program. Ye couldnae make it up.
Byeck said...Thursday, November 14, 2013 3:41:00 pm.
I never offered an opinion on Mr. Stalin in my last post I mentioned how some people's perceptions of him altered or were formed by negative propaganda. You seem to be struggling to keep up.
Anonymous Anonymous said...Friday, November 15, 2013 10:58:00 am.
I didn't say it was only the CIA but if it helps you to understand I will say that many people's opinions here of Mr. Stalin were and are formed by propaganda spread by the Capitalist West. Does that help?.
Anonymous said...Friday, November 15, 2013 11:39:00 am
Firstly it rather betrays your obvious prejudice when you refer to MP’S who do not vote as refusing to vote against something, they simply did not vote, neither for nor against.
I find the apparent opinions of those who are trying to seriously suggest that the government could have been beaten on this vote as either devious or completely ignorant, had there been any chance of that happening the government would have strangled it right away. These set piece debates are designed to embarrass the government and maintain the anti bedroom tax momentum to ensure that it remains an issue when the one and only opportunity to get rid of it comes round and that can only be done by getting rid of the Tory/Libdem government at the next general election. Labour moved a bill in Holyrood to protect people who are being hit by the bedroom tax just the other day and, the snp voted against it and defeated it. These snp MSP’S were not absent from the chamber, they were present and voted against the bill, see the difference?. Did you know that alex salmond did not turn up to vote on the minimum wage? Are you saying that he voted against it?.
Propaganda implies lies, the Katyn Forestall massacre and the Gulags are fact.
Does that help?
Anonymous said...
Friday, November 15, 2013 1:09:00
Truth is the first casualty of war.
Some people are so dumb that they believe that only the bad guys committed massacres and their side are never the bad guys. You sound like a gullible clown to me.
'Truth is 1st casualty...'
I was talking Stalin, the mad, murderous bastard, Katyn and the Gulags.
Who, and what, were you drawing the comparisons with?
Anonymous said...Friday, November 15, 2013 4:02:00 pm.
The anger comes from the knowledge that the man you call "a mad murderous bastard" the man you hate so much is the man who saved the world for freedom and without whom you wouldn't be here.
Some people of course would have preferred a victory for Hitler wouldn't they? ken?.
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