URTU boss issues a writ against his union
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• United Road Transport Union general secretary Frank Griffin has issued a writ against his own union and four of its executive members.
The row surrounds a letter written by Griffin in December about North-East URTU officer David Higginbottom, which Higginbottom claims could stop him from running a creditable campaign for Griffin's post.
Higginbottom's complaint was upheld at an URTU executive committee meeting in January, but in his writ Griffin refutes the committee's decision and says it failed to observe union rules and the rules of natural justice.
Griffin is also applying for an order to prevent publication of the committee's decision unless it also states that the decision was null and void. When CM contacted Griffin he refused to comment, saying he was not prepared to get involved in a public wrangle".
URTU president Mike Billingham says: "It is deeply regrettable that this action has been taken, especially against fellow trade unionists."