Disgrace in Aberdeenshire
Until the autumn of 2006, Ken Simpson was a leading figure in the GMB trade union - regional organiser for the Aberdeenshire area and responsible for - amongst other things - championing the rights of GMB members on important issues like equal pay.
But according to our clients in Aberdeenshire, Ken was a known bully - who liked throwing his weight around and had a terrible, violent temper if anyone dared to question or challenge his advice.
When equal pay came to the fore - predictably - he did the employer's dirty work by rubbishing Action 4 Equality and Stefan Cross - while, of course, vigorously discouraging women GMB members from using the courts to protect their interests - after many years of inaction from the GMB and other trade unions, it has to be said.
Now Ken is a disgraced former GMB official - because he was splashed all over The Sun newspaper last year after conducting a sordid affair with a woman - evidenced by photographs (taken by a mobile phone) of Ken lying naked on a bed wearing women's high-heeled shoes - with only the union logo (aptly titled "GMB - Working for You!") covering his embarrassment.
Ken quietly resigned his job with the GMB after spending a week in prison in Aberdeen - and has just recently been found guilty - by Peterhead Sheriff Court - of abducting a woman and subjecting her to a series of violent sexual attacks. He has been placed on the sex offender's register and is currently on bail awaiting sentence later this month.
Now the GMB - and its regional secretary Harry Donaldson - are to be congratulated for ensuring that this odious character is no longer allowed to portray himself as an upstanding citizen, a workers representative and champion of equal pay.
But why did it take so long - and what must the GMB's women members think of their trade union's recruitment and management of senior officials?
But according to our clients in Aberdeenshire, Ken was a known bully - who liked throwing his weight around and had a terrible, violent temper if anyone dared to question or challenge his advice.
When equal pay came to the fore - predictably - he did the employer's dirty work by rubbishing Action 4 Equality and Stefan Cross - while, of course, vigorously discouraging women GMB members from using the courts to protect their interests - after many years of inaction from the GMB and other trade unions, it has to be said.
Now Ken is a disgraced former GMB official - because he was splashed all over The Sun newspaper last year after conducting a sordid affair with a woman - evidenced by photographs (taken by a mobile phone) of Ken lying naked on a bed wearing women's high-heeled shoes - with only the union logo (aptly titled "GMB - Working for You!") covering his embarrassment.
Ken quietly resigned his job with the GMB after spending a week in prison in Aberdeen - and has just recently been found guilty - by Peterhead Sheriff Court - of abducting a woman and subjecting her to a series of violent sexual attacks. He has been placed on the sex offender's register and is currently on bail awaiting sentence later this month.
Now the GMB - and its regional secretary Harry Donaldson - are to be congratulated for ensuring that this odious character is no longer allowed to portray himself as an upstanding citizen, a workers representative and champion of equal pay.
But why did it take so long - and what must the GMB's women members think of their trade union's recruitment and management of senior officials?
