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

Wednesday, 27th March
Rail union comments on staff assaults following BBC investigation
Wednesday, 27th March
Rail union RMT members working for CrossCountry to take strike action against de-recognition of supervisory and clerical grades.
Friday, 22nd March
Rail union, RMT has criticised cuts to Network Rail funding following a decision to cut 42 jobs at Babcock Rail.
Wednesday, 20th March
RMT today welcomed the news that the Board of Transport for the North voted unanimously to write to the Secretary of State calling on him to terminate Avanti West Coast’s contract and bring it into public ownership under the Operator of Last Resort.
Friday, 15th March
Contracted out gateline workers at Northern will take strike action on Saturday in a dispute over pay, union recognition and working conditions.