Police rule out Falkirk inquiry as Unite calls for suspensions to be lifted
Britain's biggest union, Unite, called on the Labour party to lift the suspensions of two Unite members and the special measures placed on the Falkirk constituency, following today's (Thursday 25 July) news that the police had found 'insufficient grounds' for a criminal investigation.
Renewing calls for an independent inquiry into the actions of all parties involved in the selection of Labour's candidate for the Westminster seat of Falkirk, Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said:
“The decision by the police this morning not to investigate the Falkirk selection is just plain common sense – and we are not surprised in the slightest.
“We have said from the outset that Unite broke neither the rules of Labour party nor the law itself. Our union and our members have been shamefully smeared in the media without evidence and without justification.
“Three things must now happen. The Labour party must lift the suspension imposed on our members Stevie Deans and Karie Murphy immediately. An independent inquiry into what happened in Falkirk should be convened as soon as possible and the 'special measures' placed by the party on the Falkirk constituency should be lifted and full rights restored.”
