Watchdog ruled 2009 election void

锘縏he defeated candidate in Ucatt鈥檚 2009 leadership election has attacked the union for appealing a watchdog ruling that rendered the election void.

Mick Dooley accused the union of trying to 鈥渢ake the sting out of the verdict and reduce its impact鈥.

Last month, the leadership election was declared void after the watchdog, Certification Office for Trade Unions, found Ucatt sent ballot papers to only 56,867 members - less than half of its claimed 130,000 membership.

General secretary Alan Ritchie stepped down after the ruling.

A Ucatt spokesperson said the executive council was appealing the watchdog鈥檚 decision.

Dooley said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a stalling tactic. It鈥檚 going to cost union members more money to defend the indefensible.鈥