Multi-million pound ‘contracts awarded by Britain’s biggest union to firm under police investigation must be probed’

MULTI-million pound contracts awarded by the country’s biggest union to a firm whose boss is under police investigation must be probed, a Labour MP says.

John Spellar insists Unite members’ cash to the Flanagan Group for construction projects in Swansea, Liverpool, Stoke and a Birmingham hotel centre must face an extensive audit.


Multi-million pound ‘contracts awarded by Britain’s biggest union to firm under police investigation must be probed’
Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey

The company is run by Paul Flanagan, 57, a close ally of Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey.

Mr Flanagan was arrested last year on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery.

He has been released pending further inquiries.

Cops are investigating the firm under Operation Aloft which is looking into the sale of council-owned land in Liverpool.

Mr Spellar said: “This raises issues of serious concern. Unite members will be demanding a full investigation into the allegations.

“There must be full transparency of costs incurred by the union.”


Multi-million pound ‘contracts awarded by Britain’s biggest union to firm under police investigation must be probed’
John Spellar insists Unite members’ cash to the Flanagan Group for construction projects must face an extensive audit

Multi-million pound ‘contracts awarded by Britain’s biggest union to firm under police investigation must be probed’
Paul Flanagan was arrested last year on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery

Unite said: “Unite is focused solely on protecting its members in the pandemic.

“It does so effectively as its financial strength and democratic governance is second to none.”

Mr McCluskey had no oversight of contracts, which are “subject to strictest of competitive tendering process”.