17th January 2003
Amicus
slams
Simpson
smears
"ABSOLUTE nonsense" was how
Amicus
reacted to allegations in the
News of the World that joint general
secretary Derek Simpson has been
leading the high life. An Amicus
spokesperson denounced the stories
as "either exaggerated or untrue"
and added they were part of a
"broader conspiracy".
Among many accusations, Mr
Simpson
was said to have three cars.
In fact, he has a Vauxhall Vectra
which he acquired when he was a
regional
union official. The Omega
estate he was said to possess is actu-
ally a car from the union pool.
The Ford people carrier he was
accused of owning has actually been
allocated to Amicus's other joint
general
secretary, Roger Lyons.
However,
Mr Simpson was once
given
a lift in it.
It is suspected that
the stories
emanate
from current and former
employees of the AEEU section of
Amicus
loyal to Sir Ken Jackson
and embittered by his defeat last
year
at the hands of Mr Simpson.
Amicus
is shortly to launch an
independent investigation into alle-
gations of financial and electoral
malpractice
in the AEEU during Sir
Ken's time in charge.
The Amicus spokesperson said:
"There is a fear that the investigation
could
lead to criminal proceedings.
By smearing
Derek in such a way, it
is
clear these people have an awful
lot
to hide."
The inquiry will be conducted
by
either a judge or a QC. Mr Simpson
will be
hoping that it
can be
concluded quickly so energies can
be concentrated on the union's
future direction. Amicus member-
ship has declined because of the
manufacturing recession.
However, it is possible the
inquiry
and its findings could overshadow
elections for Amicus's executive
committee due to be held later this
year.
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