Unite union cleared over Falkirk selection rigging allegations

Labour has cleared the Unite union over allegations of selection rigging that sparked a breakdown in relations with the movement.

The party, which in July referred the claims about the Falkirk constituency to the police, said an internal inquiry had found no evidence rules were breached.

It lifted the suspensions of Unite-backed would-be MP Karie Murphy and local party chairman Stevie Deans, saying they too had done nothing wrong.

Ms Murphy announced however that she was withdrawing as a potential general election candidate for the seat for the sake of “reconciliation and unity”.

The Tories said it appeared to be a “stitch-up” designed to end a bitter row with Unite Labour’s biggest single financial donor.

A Labour spokesman said last night that “key evidence” had been withdrawn from the inquiry, leading to the finding that no rules in place at the time were breached.