Statement on state spying on trade unions

We the undersigned are outraged at the news that despite court orders to the contrary, the Metropolitan Police Service has destroyed evidence required for use in the Undercover Policing Public Inquiry. State spying on trade unions and political campaigns is a human rights scandal that affects millions of British citizens.

Despite continued reassurances, the Pitchford Inquiry has failed to secure the documents that will be central to the investigation. Trade union core participants are beginning to question whether the Inquiry team has the ability to stop the police from obstructing the pursuit of justice. Lord Justice Pitchford needs to act now to restore our faith.

We are calling on Lord Justice Pitchford to announce an urgent Inquiry hearing to examine the destruction of evidence by the police. The Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe should be forced to give evidence under oath to explain why, how and under whose authority documents have been destroyed.

Lord Justice Pitchford needs to take immediate measures to secure all documentation held by the police, in order to prevent future destruction and avoid the entire inquiry descending into a hugely expensive cover-up on the part of the Metropolitan Police. 

SIGNED:
Gail Cartmail (Acting General Secretary) and Len McCluskey UNITE the Union, incorporating UCATT 
Matt Wrack (General Secretary) Fire Brigades Union
Chris Kitchen (General Secretary) National Union of Mineworkers
Mick Cash (General Secretary) RMT
Michelle Stanistreet (General Secretary) National Union of Journalists 
Dave Smith and Roy Bentham (joint secretaries) Blacklist Support Group

> RMT National News

Monday, 3rd February
Rail union RMT, has condemned the appointment of Professor Iain Docherty as Chair of Scottish Rail Holdings, warning that it does nothing to address the needs of Scotland’s railway.
Monday, 27th January
Rail workers at Unipart Rail’s Crewe Depot will strike Tuesday, in protest against the company’s decision to strip RMT of union recognition.
Wednesday, 22nd January
RMT has responded to the launch of the new skills passport and wider policies aimed at creating jobs in the clean energy sector.
Saturday, 18th January
Ken Capstick - the former National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Yorkshire area vice president has died.
Thursday, 16th January
RMT has suspended planned strike action on Avanti West Coast services for the next two Sundays to allow intensive talks to take place following recent approaches by Avanti.