Len McCluskey cleared of breaking union rules in row over his re-election as Unite boss

A powerful watchdog has cleared Len McCluskey of breaking the rules over his re-election as Unite general secretary.



In a major boost for Jeremy Corbyn, Assistant Certification Officer Jeffrey Burke QC rejected all 10 complaints brought forward by his rival, Gerard Coyne.

Mr Coyne, who lost by 59,067 votes to 53,544 after a bitter election contest in 2017, had claimed that Mr McCluskey had broken the rules when he voluntarily stood down as Unite boss the year before, and had demanded a re-run.

But in a 92-page ruling published today, the Certification Officer said: "None of the complaints succeed and they are, therefore, all dismissed."

Mr Burk, who is a retired judge, had earlier ruled that the union acted appropriately by calling an election following Mr McCluskey's resignation.

The bitter contest between left-wing Mr McCluskey - a close ally of Mr Corbyn - and the more moderate Mr Coyne was seen as a proxy battle for the future of Labour, given Unite is the party's largest single donor.

Accusations about Mr McCluskey's financial arrangements, in particular a union loan he was given to buy a flat in central London, were published in a newspaper distributed by the Coyne campaign.

But in his judgement, Mr Burke said the publication "contained material which was untrue and which was, therefore, whether defamatory (as Unite contended) or not, misleading to its readers".

Gail Cartmail, Unite's assistant general secretary, said today's ruling was "the correct one".

"Every charge brought against our union by Gerard Coyne and his campaign has been dismissed and shown to be misconceived, underscoring once again that our election was, as we have always said, conducted freely and fairly," she said.

"This is an emphatic ruling that ought to draw a line under matters once and for all, allowing this union to do what it does best, defend the interests of its members."

She added: "Gerard Coyne and his supporters should reflect upon whether the manner in which they have conducted themselves reflects the values of our members and whether they have any place in our movement."

Mr Coyne said: "I’m obviously disappointed by today’s ruling. I’d like to express my thanks to everybody who voted for me last year and to those who have supported me over the past year, particularly my family."