Unite deny Len McCluskey to quit as retired judge appointed to probe his re-election

Unite have been forced to deny that Len McCluskey is planning to quit after a former top judge was appointed to investigate claims his re-election as general secretary broke union rules.



Jeffrey Burke QC will consider a list of allegations made by Gerard Coyne, who Mr McCluskey defeated earlier this year to win a third term at the Unite helm.

The legal expert will act as assistant to the Certification Officer, who acts as a watchdog to the trade union movement.

Should any of the nine complaints about the way the election was run be upheld, then he could order a re-run.

That has led to speculation that Mr McCluskey, who is 67, could stand down rather than go through another bitterly-fought campaign.

But a Unite spokesman said: "There is no question of Mr McCluskey standing down. These are rumours designed to damage this union.

"The Certification Officer is yet to decide whether any of Mr Coyne's concerns require a full hearing. Such a decision will be taken by Mr Burke QC, and is not to be undermined by public comment.

"Unite is confident that the Certification Officer will agree that this union's rules have been upheld in the recent election."

Former Unite regional officer Mr Coyne - who was suspended by the union shortly after polls closed in the general secretary election - welcomed the appointment of Mr Burke.

He said: "Obviously he's a distinguished High Court judge. From my perspective it couldn't be better. An open and transparent process of investigation is something I've wanted all the way through.

"It's encouraging that none of my nine areas of complaint have been struck out in the process."