Unite hands police reports into its Birmingham hotel amid 'concerns about criminality'

Union Unite has passed reports into the development of its Birmingham hotel and conference centre to the police having uncovered evidence of “very serious concerns about potential criminality”.

Following her election last year Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham ordered a QC-led (now KC-led) inquiry into the development of the member-funded venue after its value was estimated to be considerably lower than the costs incurred in developing the site.

The cost of developing the 170-room centre, plans for which were drawn up under former general secretary Len McCluskey, far exceeded initial estimates and are expected to reach some £98m.

A spokesperson for Unite said: "The newly elected general secretary of Unite pledged to find out if there was any wrongdoing in the construction and spending related to the Birmingham Hotel and conference centre. True to her word, after her election, Sharon Graham, commissioned an independent QC (now KC) inquiry into the Birmingham development and later a separate inquiry and external forensic investigation into Unite's affiliated service providers.

"Due to very serious concerns about potential criminality that have emerged, both these reports are now being shared with the police.”

The statement continued: "The general secretary is committed to doing all in her power to recoup any monies lost, by all means necessary and holding anyone responsible to account. It is clear this transparency would not have happened without the determination of the general secretary to 'leave no stone unturned' to get to the truth.”

Police have asked the union not to release the contents of the reports while their investigation is ongoing.