One of Gordon Brown's senior officials at No 10 is entirely paid by the Unite trade union, the Standard reveals today. Clare Moody, a national officer for the trade union behind the British Airwayscabin crew strike, has been given a desk in the Prime Minister's political office that deals with policy development and government relations. Although she works in the heart of Downing Street, her salary and pension are “100 per cent” met by the trade union.The disclosure comes amid serious concern in Labour circles about the massive and growing influence over the Labour party wielded by Unite — and the four-day delay before the Prime Minister directly criticised the union over the BA dispute. Lord Mandelson is known to be concerned that the union is carving up Labour selection meetings to win seats in the Commons for its members. He reportedly intervened to help a Blairite moderniser on to the shortlist in James Purnell's old parliamentary seat in defiance of Unite officials who had rejected the moderniser. The Standard telephoned Ms Moody via the Downing Street switchboard today. Asked if the union paid her salary, believed to be about £50,000, she said: “This has come a bit out of the blue. I will come back to you.” She works at No 10 with Joe Irvine, Mr Brown's political secretary, a former Unite national official, whose salary is paid by Labour. Ray Collins, Labour's general secretary, also used to work for the union. It emerged today that powerful figures at Unite, including leader Tony Woodley and political director Charlie Whelan, have been given Commons security passes by Labour MPs or the party. The passes give them a free run of the Commons estate, including access to bars and lobbies where they can approach MPs. Tory MP Ben Wallace said: “Union bully boys like Charlie Whelan and Tony Woodley strut around Parliament like they own the place. As BA passengers struggle to make alternative holiday plans, Labour engages in buying votes and twisting the truth with union money.” Conservative chairman Eric Pickles said: “If Gordon Brown had any doubt about how much control Unite has he only has to open the door in his bunker and look at Clare Moody. The public need to be satisfied that this government isn't the political arm of Unite and that can only happen when the Labour party stop receiving funding from them.” Mr Woodley has a pass from Labour MP Rob Marris while Mr Whelan's is sponsored by theLabour Party HQ. Ms Moody also has a Commons pass, courtesy of Labour select committee chairman Terry Rooney. A Downing Street spokesman said: “She is in the political office which is staffed by political appointees of the Government at the time.” The spokesman would not confirm who paid her salary but said it did not come from public funds. A Labour Party spokesman said: “Any seconded individual to the Labour Party is declared in the proper way. "They report to and are directed by their Labour Party line managers and are treated as any member of Labour Party staff in their work. “The Trade Unions represent six million working people in Britain and it is absolutely right that the Labour Party liaise with them.”
17.03.10
Unite trade union paying wages of top Gordon Brown official
Thursday, 18 March 2010
17.03.10
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