News Item

MSF President Speaks
LYONSweb publishes today in full the speech made by the MSF President at this year's Annual Conference. General Secretary Lyons refused to print the speech, officially banned it and said he will sue anyone who publishes it. Even LYONSweb has had to remove 4 words identifying the NEC member 'who has embezzled the union'.
President Laurence Galbraith on finances:

"Where has all our property gone?"

On himself:

"I doubt if I will be allowed to address Conference next year that is, of course, if I haven't been investigated or disciplined by then." On the selection of Rules Commission members, the NEC "chose to ignore the only person democratically elected by the sovereign body of this union - conference - and that is myself"

On the £3 million scandal of MSF and Shorts:

"Full time officer Joe Bowers was forced out because he told the truth about Bombardier Shorts"
"I find [MSF's behaviour] utterly disgusting and distasteful and it only confirms to me and conference once again the transparent collusion between the management at Bombardier Shorts and the union."

On Lyons:

"He will give up executive powers in September next year [2003] as he hopes then to become president of the T.U.C." "Thankfully, very soon, no more will we hear the phrase - it's got nothing to do with me - accompanied by the ritual washing of the hands."

On the MSF witchunts:

The NEC has failed "to apply the rules to a former NEC member who was quite evidently guilty of defalcation of union funds" and "It depends on your allegiance to the leadership as to whether or not the rules of the Union are enforced"

He concludes that the NEC "should hang their heads in shame". Read the full speech below
[MSF President's Speech]
Posted by www.rogerlyons.com on 11th September 2002