Len McCluskey’s £18 working class breakfasts

Trade union Unite are back in the news again after a brief hiatus following the end of the Corbyn melodrama last year. Outgoing general secretary Len McCluskey is facing questions about the £98 million of members’ money spent on building a four star Marriott hotel complex and conference centre in Birmingham which will house union offices. Despite a reported initial estimate of £7 million, the building costs ballooned to £57 million before construction began, with the key contract being awarded to Flanagan Group — run by McCluskey ally Paul Flanagan.

This morning ‘Red Len’ showed he still has plenty of life left in him as he hit back at the ‘hostile media’ for a ‘disgraceful smear campaign.’ In a lengthy statement the veteran left winger claimed:

The world-class Birmingham hotel, conference and education centre is a reflection of this union’s sound management of its finances as an investment that will grow in value for our union… All Unite members can take pride in the wonderful building we have created in England’s second city.