Labour shouldn't return money to union backer, shadow minister insists

Labour shouldn’t return money to union backer, shadow minister insists

Apr 10, 2024

Labour shouldn’t return money it’s received from a union if claims of institutional sexism there are proven, the shadow home secretary has said.

Yvette Cooper told Sky News while “very serious issues have been raised” at GMB, the organisation “represents members right across the country and is an important part of the Labour movement”.

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GMB has categorically denied claims of a culture of bullying or sexism.

It said it has clear, fair, and transparent procedures to fully investigate and properly deal with any allegation of bullying or harassment.

Ms Cooper said it’s essential that an investigation takes place, that we “find out exactly what’s happened”, and that “any action is taken to tackle any problems”.

But on whether money should be returned if the claims of institutional sexism are proven, she bluntly said: “No.”

Staff say sexism still an issue

It comes as the union faces internal clashes with its own staff, who threatened to strike over serious allegations of bullying and sexism.

After an independent report in 2020 found the union “institutionally sexist”, it promised to implement the full recommendations in the report in an effort to clean house.

But now, doubts have been raised over whether that has truly happened.

Employees in the North East have told Sky News promised reforms have not materialised and have threatened to strike against their own union until this is sorted out.

It’s put pressure back on Labour to consider whether it’s now appropriate to take any money from the union.

Party’s reliance on trade union funding

Labour relies heavily on funding from trade unions – last year it received £2.7m in public funding and donations from organisations, with £290,125 coming from GMB alone.

Ms Cooper has rejected accusations of hypocrisy, with Labour having previously called on the Tories to return money they received from Frank Hester, who made allegedly racist and sexist comments about Diane Abbott.

Talks between GMB and its members are ongoing.

The first day of strikes was called off, while the second day of strikes has been planned for next week.

An insider familiar with the talks said the first date of strikes was cancelled on the promise that Karon Monaghan KC, who originally wrote the report in 2020, will eventually be called back in to investigate again.

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