LONDON REGION DEFENCE CAMPAIGN

news release * news release * news release

HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE IN MSF:

LONDON REGION SECRETARY

BANNED FOR THREE YEARS

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Sarah McDonald, Secretary of the MSF London Regional Council, has been banned for three years from union office above workplace level.

The decision was taken at the July meeting of the MSF NEC following a report from a disciplinary panel that Ms McDonald "acted in conflict with her role and responsibility as Regional Secretary and her behaviour fell well short of that the union is entitled to expect from its elected postholders."

The draconian action by the NEC is part of the ongoing controversy about the exclusion of the MSF London Regional Council from the electoral college for the choice of the Labour Party's candidate for London mayor and subsequent attempts to raise funds to pay for a court case in connection with this.

Ms McDonald, aged 27, was elected Regional Secretary at the January meeting of the London Regional Council. She is also treasurer of the London Region Defence Campaign, set up to raise funds for the court case. At the January and February meetings of the Regional Council, there were discussions of aspects of the controversy. Ms. McDonald has been banned for being present at these discussion and for being treasurer of the Defence Campaign.

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Ms McDonald will appeal against her ban.

Four other current and former officers of the London Regional Council are under suspension and await the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. One further officer has had his suspension lifted without suspension.

London Region Defence Campaign spokesperson Hugh MacGrillen said, "There you have MSF today. A young, keen activist gets a three year ban for nothing. At the same meeting, the NEC ignores massive evidence of financial misconduct by the General Secretary. No wonder there is a huge wave of anger running through the union."

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Notes for editors:

1) The London Region Defence Campaign (LRDC) has been set up by MSF members to resist attacks on our democratic rights by both the Labour Party and the MSF hierarchy. More information about our activities can be found on our website www.lrdc.org.uk.

2) More information is also available from Hugh MacGrillen on hughmacgrillen@netscapeonline or 020 7226 5436/020 7794 5999.

3) Sarah McDonald will not give interviews while her appeal is pending.