WITNESS STATEMENT

I am Hugh MacGrillen of 21B Theberton St., London N1 0QY. From 1989 to 1999, with a gap of one year, I was secretary of the London Regional Council of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union (MSF). My duties included the evaluation and authorisation of payment of expenses claims by members of the Council. My duties also included extensive dealings with the General Secretary of MSF, Mr. Roger Lyons, and the then Head of Finance, Mr. Nelson Mendes, on financial and other matters.

I have examined a report prepared by Mr. John Chowcat, former Assistant General Secretary of MSF, alleging financial misconduct by Mr. Lyons and Mr. Mendes. I have also examined a report by Mr. Stuart Burns, of the union's accountants HW Fisher & Co., of his investigation into Mr. Chowcat's allegation. This was Mr. Burns' first main report. I have not seen his subsequent reports.

In connection with an Employment Tribunal case brought against MSF by Ms. Marcia Solomon, a former employee of the union who was dismissed over the allegations of financial irregularity, I have read an aide-memoire prepared by Mr. Chowcat, a witness statement by Ms. Solomon, and a witness statement by Mr. Bryan Keegan, Mr. Lyons' former chauffeur. I have also examined a selection of Mr. Lyons' expenses claims.

Finally, I have read both reports by the Certification Officer, Mr. EG Whybrew, into these matters.

My conclusions drawn from these documents were published in an article in the magazine Trade Union Review in 2000. This article is appended to this statement.

My conclusions are that Mr. Lyons and Mr. Mendes were engaged in serious financial misconduct. In particular, Mr. Lyons consistently claimed expenses to which he was not entitled. I also conclude that the MSF National Executive Council attempted to cover up this misconduct in gross dereliction of its duty. This cover-up entailed the expenditure of large amounts of the union's money.

I am familiar with the coverage of these matters on Mr. David Beaumont's websites. My opinion is that the material on the websites is fair and accurate. I believe he has rendered a service to the members of MSF in making this material publically available.