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Labour to pursue Falkirk disciplinary action after police drop inquiry Labour to pursue Falkirk disciplinary action after police drop inquiry
(2 months later)
Ed Miliband is facing a fresh row with Britain's largest trade union after the Labour party announced it would press ahead with disciplinary action over the selection of a parliamentary candidate in Falkirk.Ed Miliband is facing a fresh row with Britain's largest trade union after the Labour party announced it would press ahead with disciplinary action over the selection of a parliamentary candidate in Falkirk.
Labour said it would pursue disciplinary action "as a matter of urgency" after police decided there were insufficient grounds for a criminal investigation.Labour said it would pursue disciplinary action "as a matter of urgency" after police decided there were insufficient grounds for a criminal investigation.
In a separate move, the information commissioner, Christopher Graham, is to investigate whether the Unite union breached data protection laws. He is intervening on the grounds that it is a high-profile matter and because he received a letter from Jake Berry, parliamentary private secretary to the Tory chairman, Grant Shapps.In a separate move, the information commissioner, Christopher Graham, is to investigate whether the Unite union breached data protection laws. He is intervening on the grounds that it is a high-profile matter and because he received a letter from Jake Berry, parliamentary private secretary to the Tory chairman, Grant Shapps.
Berry cited an article in the Sunday Herald in May which said that three members of a family were recruited to join the Falkirk constituency Labour party (CLP) even though only one agreed to join in principle. A spokesman for the information commissioner's office said: "We are currently making inquiries."Berry cited an article in the Sunday Herald in May which said that three members of a family were recruited to join the Falkirk constituency Labour party (CLP) even though only one agreed to join in principle. A spokesman for the information commissioner's office said: "We are currently making inquiries."
Labour is to press ahead with disciplinary action because its own investigation uncovered alleged wrongdoing in the Falkirk CLP over the selection of a successor to the MP Eric Joyce, who has been stripped of the Labour whip after several bar-room brawls and is to stand down at the next election.Labour is to press ahead with disciplinary action because its own investigation uncovered alleged wrongdoing in the Falkirk CLP over the selection of a successor to the MP Eric Joyce, who has been stripped of the Labour whip after several bar-room brawls and is to stand down at the next election.
It is understood that the police decided not to act because there was no evidence of financial impropriety – the trigger for a criminal fraud investigation – in the Falkirk selection process. But Labour said it had evidence of wrongdoing. "This is political not financial," one Labour source said. "We have found evidence of things going badly wrong."It is understood that the police decided not to act because there was no evidence of financial impropriety – the trigger for a criminal fraud investigation – in the Falkirk selection process. But Labour said it had evidence of wrongdoing. "This is political not financial," one Labour source said. "We have found evidence of things going badly wrong."
The Labour party said: "As a result of the police decision we will now pursue disciplinary action as a matter of urgency. The internal Labour inquiry found there was enough evidence to concern us about membership recruitment in Falkirk. We will act on this swiftly and thoroughly, as we have done throughout this matter."The Labour party said: "As a result of the police decision we will now pursue disciplinary action as a matter of urgency. The internal Labour inquiry found there was enough evidence to concern us about membership recruitment in Falkirk. We will act on this swiftly and thoroughly, as we have done throughout this matter."
Police Scotland said earlier: "Following a comprehensive review of all material submitted, Police Scotland has concluded there are insufficient grounds to support a criminal investigation at this time. However, should further information come to light, this will be looked into."Police Scotland said earlier: "Following a comprehensive review of all material submitted, Police Scotland has concluded there are insufficient grounds to support a criminal investigation at this time. However, should further information come to light, this will be looked into."
Labour said it would uphold the suspensions of the local party and of Karie Murphy, Unite's preferred candidate in Falkirk for the 2015 general election, and Stevie Deans, the constituency chairman.Labour said it would uphold the suspensions of the local party and of Karie Murphy, Unite's preferred candidate in Falkirk for the 2015 general election, and Stevie Deans, the constituency chairman.
The Labour investigation uncovered allegations that the constituency was packed with new members whose subscriptions were paid by Unite. There were allegations that some new members did not know they had been signed up.The Labour investigation uncovered allegations that the constituency was packed with new members whose subscriptions were paid by Unite. There were allegations that some new members did not know they had been signed up.
Unite said: "Unite welcomes the police decision not to investigate the Falkirk selection, which appears to be based on an overdue application of common sense to the situation. Unite reaffirms what it has always said: the union broke neither Labour party rules nor the law in Falkirk. Those in the media who have smeared the union without evidence or justification should now hang their heads in shame.Unite said: "Unite welcomes the police decision not to investigate the Falkirk selection, which appears to be based on an overdue application of common sense to the situation. Unite reaffirms what it has always said: the union broke neither Labour party rules nor the law in Falkirk. Those in the media who have smeared the union without evidence or justification should now hang their heads in shame.
"We would hope that Labour will now lift the suspensions of Stevie Deans and Karie Murphy, agree to an independent investigation into what happened in Falkirk, and restore full rights to the constituency party as soon as possible.""We would hope that Labour will now lift the suspensions of Stevie Deans and Karie Murphy, agree to an independent investigation into what happened in Falkirk, and restore full rights to the constituency party as soon as possible."
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