Construction blacklisting risks being inadequately scrutinised by the undercover policing inquiry after a key expert was barred from giving oral evidence, a union has claimed.
Dave Smith, a blacklisted construction worker and secretary of the Blacklist Support Group (BSG), had applied for a judicial review to overturn a decision not to hear from him in the third phase of the Spycops inquiry.
However, earlier this month the High Court rejected his bid.
“Our concern is it (blacklisting of construction workers) will not be dealt with properly,” a Unite the Union spokesperson told Construction News after the decision.
Smith’s lawyers had previously argued that he was the only person who has “the knowledge or expertise to challenge the police narrative” on blacklisting in the industry.
Unite is one of more than 100 signatories, including the TUC, GMB, and blacklisted workers, who have sent an open letter to the inquiry’s chair, Sir John Mitting, following the High Court’s decision.
The letter, also signed by former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, argues that not allowing Smith to give oral evidence is “perverse and against the public interest”.
“Without calling on Dave Smith’s in-depth research into the mechanics of blacklisting, the lack of openness by state actors on the issue will go virtually uncontested, and any findings will be based on the failing memories of a small cohort of ex-police officers,” it reads.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, who is a core participant in the inquiry, said: “Blacklisting is a disgraceful practice and hundreds of construction workers had their lives ruined.
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https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/blacklisting-expert-loses-bid-to-appear-before-spycops-inquiry-29-04-2026/
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