Union chief's house 'subsidised' by members

Saturday, 17 January 2009 1:35 PM

Unite Union joint general secretary Derek Simpson has been criticised after internal documents revealed that the costs of his accommodation were being funded by union members.

The Times cites internal documents as showing that Mr Simpson, who leads the body which represents the interests of two million employees, had been guaranteed a house in Hertfordshire until his death which would be subsidised by funds from union members.

In addition to the accommodation perk, which was worth £40,000 in the year 2007, the paper cites Unite papers as showing that its leader's total remuneration package had increased to £194,252 as well.

A spokesman for Unite told the paper: "These arrangements were approved by the executive committee at the time and have been a matter of public record ever since. His remuneration is published every year and is properly approved every year."

The Unite Union was formed in 2007 after a merger between Amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union.

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