Unite leadership challenger Gerard Coyne sacked by trade union

Gerard Coyne says he was informed of his dismissal by email, and slams the ruling from the "kangaroo court".

Gerard Coyne, who was defeated by Len McCluskey for the post of general secretary of Unite
Image: Mr Coyne said he was 'deeply disappointed, but not surprised' at being dismissed
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Gerard Coyne, who stood against Len McCluskey in the Unite leadership election, has been sacked by the union.

Mr Coyne, Unite's West Midlands regional secretary, was suspended just before the result of the election was announced in April.

He lost, but is challenging the result with the certification officer.

Mr Coyne's supporters accused Mr McCluskey of "panic and desperation" when the suspension was announced, blaming "Red Len" for the move.

The election was one of the most bitter in the trade union movement in recent years, with both candidates trading insults about the lifestyle and conduct of their opponent.

Len McCluskey, the General Secretary of Unite,
Image: The campaign between Len McCluskey and Mr Coyne was bitterly fought

Mr Coyne said he was told by email that he had been sacked from his position after a disciplinary hearing.

He said he was "deeply disappointed, but not surprised", and said he intended to appeal.

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"When you are in a kangaroo court, you are rarely surprised by the outcome," Mr Coyne said.

"I have held the post for 16 years and no complaint was raised during the hearing about how I carried out that role.

"However, during the disciplinary process, I was informed that union rules require a regional secretary to be 'the general secretary's representative in the region'.

"It was implied that, because of the way I criticised Len McCluskey during the campaign, I could not fulfil that role."

A Unite spokesman said: "The decision is subject to a right of appeal to Unite's executive council, and the union will be offering no further comment on the matter."