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Unite union’s £112m hotel construction under scrutiny in major fraud investigation


The Serious Fraud Office is investigating a £112m hotel and conference center project in Birmingham owned by UK trade union Unite. The project, which was completed in 2020, has since been valued at just £29m. Sharon Graham, the current general secretary, commissioned two inquiries into the project and affiliated services, leading to the discovery of potential criminality. Unite has shared the findings with police and stated that Graham will leave no stone unturned to establish whether there was any financial wrongdoing.

The hotel project, initiated under former general secretary Len McCluskey, was meant to be an investment for Unite and provide cost savings for events. However, it ended up costing more than three times the initial forecasted amount. Employment tribunal documents show that the union’s ruling executive council may have been misled about the project’s true value.

In April 2022, South Wales police and HM Revenue and Customs raided Unite’s offices as part of a separate investigation into allegations of bribery, fraud, and money laundering related to the hotel project. The investigation is ongoing, with searches conducted at various addresses across the UK.

Despite facing attacks and criticism, Graham remains determined to uncover the truth and has implemented safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future. Unite is also pursuing legal claims to recover lost funds. The incident highlights the need for transparency and accountability in trade union investments to protect members’ money.

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Photo credit www.theguardian.com

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