Lyons' den

During the bitter leadership battle at the Amicus trade union, one man appeared surprisingly unperturbed.

Roger Lyons, head of the old MSF union that merged with the AEEU to form Amicus this year, was joint general secretary of the new union with (the now ousted) Sir Ken Jackson.

It is an understatement to say they did not see eye to eye. One insider reports that the chemistry between them was non-existent.

Indeed, Lyons was quick to tell the world that Jackson's wish to stay on had "clearly not gone down very well".

He has much to gain from Derek Simpson's victory. Lyons was scheduled to step down as joint Amicus leader when Jackson retires in 2004. Now there is the possibility of his hanging around for a little longer.

Although lined up for a stint as president of the Trades Union Congress, he could remain at the top of Amicus until he hits retirement age in 2007.

Simson would be there only a couple of years longer.