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Labour party's Falkirk membership inquiry report – analysis

This article is more than 10 years old
The eight conclusions of the investigation into voting irregularities in the Scottish constituency

The Falkirk report arrives at eight conclusions in its executive summary, leaked to the press and widely interpreted as damning proof of forgery, bullying and "machine politics" by Unite, the union. The subsequent furore resulted in Ed Miliband inviting the police to investigate the claims and the suspension of two members, Stevie Deans and Karie Murphy.

But there is only limited evidence in the report which supports these conclusions. There is a reference to a related "initial investigation" but this appears to be only statistical desk-bound research.

Conclusion 1 says that "deliberate attempts were made to frustrate these interviews" – which appears to be an exaggeration. There is only one example of action that could be interpreted as a form of obstruction to the inquiry: when the investigator Jane Shaw was confronted by Stevie Deans at the house of his relative Brenda McDermott. Shaw claims that Deans insisted McDermott no longer wished to speak. Friends of Deans say he did not frustrate the interview process.

Conclusion 2: "There is evidence that members were recruited without their knowledge." That is supported by evidence. The Labour party's investigator gathered evidence from at least three people saying they were unaware that they had been recruited before they were contacted by the party.

But a subsequent party investigation has cleared anyone of any wrongdoing on the grounds that the party memberships were bought as a gift, which is within the rules. The question remains: why weren't the report's authors aware of this when they they came to this damning conclusion?

Conclusion 3: "There is evidence that the join date of members was set to the first receipt of forms even though those forms were incorrectly completed." That is not blamed on any individual within the report, leaving it open to the possibility that the problem lay with the process. The report also shows that Labour officials were reliant on union officials at times to verify when forms had been processed.

Conclusion 4 – "There is evidence that members were pressured into completing direct debit forms" – is only partially backed by evidence. A questionnaire filled in by Lorraine Kane, a recent recruitee and a relative of Deans, claims that Karie Murphy "badgered" her until she signed the document. However, Kane's claims have since been "clarified", leading the party to conclude that there was no breach of rules. Murphy denies any wrongdoing.

Conclusion 5 – "There is evidence that members were persuaded to supply financial details without being aware they were completing a direct debit mandate." But the party's inquiry does not appear to have conclusive evidence to back this claim.

Conclusion 6 – "There is evidence that signatures were forged on either application forms or direct debit mandates or other documents" – overstates the evidence within the report. While the investigators say they found discrepancies on both the direct debit mandate forms supplied by the Kane and McDermott families, there is no evidence of forgery within the report.

Conclusion 7 – "There can be no doubt that members were recruited in an attempt to manipulate party processes." There is no hard evidence to back this claim. Although there is no doubt that Murphy and Unite were engaged in a recruitment drive, so were other candidates who wished to gain the party's nomination, such as Gregor Poynton.

Conclusion 8 – "Whilst it is likely some members were recruited or joined during this period in compliance with current rules and procedures, there is sufficient evidence to raise concern about the legitimacy of members qualifying to participate in the selection under the current freeze date of 19 May 2013." There is evidence in the report that raises concerns about the legitimacy of members. As a result, the joining date for members eligible to vote was changed.

More on this story

More on this story

  • Falkirk Labour activists dismayed over lack of evidence in party's report

  • Labour NEC meets to debate Ed Miliband leadership election reforms

  • Failed Falkirk candidate condemns Labour investigation

  • Labour's new Falkirk candidate aims to 'regain people's trust'

  • Signatures were faked during Falkirk selection process, says report

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