by René Lavanchy
LAURENCE FAIRCLOTH has dropped out of the race to become the next general secretary of the Amicus section of Unite, and told his supporters to back incumbent Derek Simpson instead.
Mr Faircloth, who had secured the backing of the Amicus Unity Gazette centre-left political group, withdrew after coming fourth – after Mr Simpson and two other challengers – in the nominations to be placed on the ballot for next month’s election.
In a statement on his blog, he said he was pleased that most of his demands to push forward the merger of Amicus and the T&G had now been met.
He has told Gazette activists to support Mr Simpson, whom he previously described as having “put his own personal ambition before the interests of the union membership”.
Kevin Coyne, the north- west regional secretary who is also running, said: “I’m surprised that Laurence is supporting Derek, given that the issues raised on his website are still unresolved. The union still needs to be brought together.”
