Unite UK distances itself from historical corruption allegations

Unite UK says that general secretary, Sharon Graham, has done everything in her power to investigate allegations of historical corruption under the previous administration. 

Reacting to reports that Unite had broken the law and failed to maintain control of its accounts, the union points out that it was Ms Graham who commissioned an independent valuation of the Birmingham hotel development which resulted in a £66 million hole in the union’s accounts.

While initial estimates for the project suggested it would cost around £7 million, the scale of the works increased over the years that followed, with the union ultimately spending £112 million  on a hotel valued at £37.5 million. 

Former general secretary, Len McCluskey, was flown on private jets to Champions League finals, paid by the Flanagan Group, which charged Unite £96 million for its work on the development, and whose owners McCluskey described as “good friends”.

Sharon Graham has sought to distance herself from the scandal, telling the BBC, “there’s no way to pretend that actually it was a whoopsie-daisy moment… It’s either rank incompetence, or it’s something else”.

Where does Unite go from here?

As a result of what Unite call ‘Project Clean Up’, the union says it has implemented a number of changes, including a re-audit of the 2021 accounts, new policy regarding hospitality and gifts, new accounting measures and a review of the union’s governance.

A spokesperson said there continues to be a faction within the union which has done everything in its power to stop the investigations commissioned by Ms Graham, and that the union would not hesitate to defend itself.