Curran suspended from GMB
The leader of the GMB union has been suspended by the national executive in the latest stage of the long running dispute.
Kevin Curran was elected by a wide majority through an all-postal ballot nearly two years ago.
But the union’s ruling council has launched an investigation into allegations of vote rigging.
Mr Curran vigorously denies any impropriety.
His suspension comes after he was accused of contacting John Hand QC, appointed in December by the GMB to probe alleged voting irregularities and a breach of election rules.
Mr Curran insists he did nothing wrong despite contacting Mr Hand about the probe.
He is believed to have contacted Mr Hand to emphasise that financial control of the GMB and the inquiry resided with him as general secretary.
He was suspended after refusing to apologise to the executive after they accused him of prejudicial interference. It is understood that he has been suspended on full pay until the investigation is completed.
The announcement is likely to delay the merger between the GMB, Amicus and the TGWU, who were due to meet yesterday to discuss the possibility of forming a 2.5 million member “super union”.
The GMB was also expected to be one of Labour’s biggest financial donors in the general election campaign.
