Unite: Union leader defends speaker of the House of Commons

Wednesday, 3 December 2008 12:00 AM

Derek Simpson, Unite's joint general secretary has today spoken out in support of Michael Martin, speaker of the House of Commons and accuses the Tories of a witchhunt based on snobbery.

Unite joint general secretary Derek Simpson said,

"Michael Martin is a proud man with strong working class roots but this has made him a target for the silverspoon Tories who want a speaker schooled at Eton rather than a former sheet metal worker. They can't abide a working class man doing well.

Michael has been at the receiving end of a string of unjustified attacks from the Tories. This witch-hunt must end. This is not just an attack on Michael but an attack on the working classes. The Tories remain true to form."

ENDS

Contact: Ciaran Naidoo 07768 931 315

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